Gjoa Haven food bank initiative gains community support

When Gjoa Haven resident Veronica Ullulaq posted on Facebook, calling for a new food bank committee last month, she did not expect the wave of community support that followed.

Ullulaq, a community justice outreach worker with Nunavut’s Justice Department, said the idea grew out of first-hand experience with the high cost of living in the hamlet of about 1,400 people. 

“Some community members had mentioned they would like a food bank, but that didn’t move forward,” she said in an interview, adding that requests for food donations on Facebook and local radio often go unanswered.

“I put myself in their shoes because I’ve been there before. I know what it’s like having to wait and have nothing.”

Her post quickly drew responses from residents offering to volunteer, while others suggested agencies the group could contact to help launch the food bank, like the Nunavut Association of Non-Profit Organizations.  

Ullulaq said she cannot remember when Gjoa Haven last had a food bank. While food bank committees existed in the past, none are currently active. 

On Feb. 25, a week after her Facebook post, Ullulaq and three other residents were invited to attend a Nunavut Food Security Coalition online meeting. 

“I didn’t know there were so many non-profit organizations supporting food banks. We got a lot of information and support — contacts for support letters and organizations that could put in applications if we requested,” said Ullulaq.

The push to establish a food bank reflects the high cost of groceries, she said. 

“Ten years ago, with $300, I’d take home up to eight [grocery] bags or a bit more,” Ullulaq said. “With $300 today, I can only take up to two bags home, depending on the produce, dry goods and dairy I choose.”

The proposed food bank would provide dry goods, canned foods and baby supplies, and could also distribute country foods through partnership with the local hunters and trappers association, she said.

Naurvik, a community-led hydroponic greenhouse project in Gjoa Haven, which provides samples of fresh produce to the community, could help too.

“The importance is making sure everyone — every child, elders, adults and babies — are eating good nutritious food,” Ullulaq said.

“Hunger has no boss, and if you’re hungry, you’re cranky and not doing well at work.”

Ullulaq said the next step is to build the committee, submit a proposal to Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., and then apply for funding to secure storage space and supplies so the food bank can begin operating.  

“We’re hoping to become a food-based non-profit organization down the road,” Ullulaq said. “The more community members involved, the quicker we can get moving.”