INAC minister explains spike in pumpkin prices

I would like to provide clarification in response to your article “Price of pumpkins in the North skyrockets” featured in Nunatsiaq News on Oct. 29, 2010.

Our government understands the challenges Northerners face when it comes to affordable, healthy food. We know that the cost of food affects the health and quality of life of northerners.

That is why, after extensive engagement sessions with aboriginal groups and stakeholders, the Government of Canada’s Nutrition North program will replace the old food mail program. We have listened to northerners.

This is a major change, the first in 40 years, but I want to be clear that this change is happening to ensure that northerners benefit from improved and increased access to nutritious and affordable foods.

For the first time country food will be included to reflect northerners’ needs.

Nutrition North Canada will be a sustainable and efficient way to help northerners access healthy food. Under this new program more cost-effective ways of transportation for non-perishable food will be used.

This program will be phased in over the next few months. Phase I began on October 3, 2010. Changes were made to the food eligibility list, which now excludes certain foods with high fat, sugar, sodium or low nutrient content.

This revised list of eligible foods was developed in partnership with Health Canada and other stakeholders to ensure northerners have access to affordable and healthier food choices. Items such as ornamental pumpkins have been removed from the list to provide room for priority food items.

Under the new program, nutritious foods receive the highest subsidy. Nutrition North will take full effect in April 2011. During the transition, the old food mail program will continue as usual by using Canada Post to distribute food items based on the revised food eligibility list.

I want to emphasize that Nutrition North Canada will provide improved access to more affordable and healthy food choices for northerners.

We have established an advisory committee to continue to hear from northerners and make recommendations about the program.

Hon. John Duncan
Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians

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