NORTH BATTLEFORD RECEIVES FUNDING FOR NUTRITION AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS

Released on May 15, 1998

Battlefords MLA Sharon Murrell, on behalf of Social Services Minister

Lorne Calvert, today announced the Midwest Food Resource Project Inc.

is receiving a $68,795 grant through the Child Nutrition and

Development initiative to support nutrition education programs.



"The work done by this and other such programs are very important in

our community," Murrell said. "More and more, we need to work

together for the betterment of us all. Programs like this one go a

long way to assist individuals and families in making the best use of

their food dollars. I want to commend the many volunteers involved in

this important program for your commitment to your community and our

children."



Murrell said the Midwest Food Resource Project Inc. received $68,795

to assist with the start-up and operation of a community kitchen.



In addition, the Battlefords Boys and Girls Club has provided kitchen

space, Kanaweyimik Child and Family Services has provided office space

and many other agencies and individuals have contributed in various

ways to the program.



Participants in the community kitchen access low cost nutritious

foods, learn about nutrition, budgeting and food handling and are able

to stretch their food dollars further.

There are five community kitchens. Each kitchen runs courses

which are six months in length. Groups meet twice a month to

plan and prepare meals in quantities to take home for freezing.



A total of $1.2 million is being provided in ongoing funding to

communities around the province under the Child Nutrition and

Development program.



Grants are provided to schools and community groups across the

province which respond to the needs of hungry children. The

money is used to provide food, education and support services and

for community development programs which work to meet the varied

needs of these children and their families. Each year more than

one million meals are provided through these projects.



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For more information, contact:



Virginia Wilkinson

Social Services

Regina

Phone: (306)787-0916