N.S. expands local food program for hospitals, universities

A person stocks a bag with tomatoes. (Source: Nova Scotia Government)

The Nova Scotia government is expanding a program in hopes of making local food more available in hospitals and universities across the province.

New support will be available to farmers, processors and distribution hubs through the Institutional Development Expansion and Advancement (IDEA) program. The program aims to help farmers and processors scale up to meet institutions’ needs.

“Nova Scotia Loyal helps to turn local pride into local growth. By working together, we are helping farmers and processors grow their businesses while ensuring Nova Scotians in our hospitals and public institutions have access to fresh, healthy, local food,” said Growth and Development Minister Colton Leblanc.

The province hopes the program, which is a partnership between the Department of Agriculture and the Nova Scotia Loyal team at the Department of Growth and Development, will help achieve a goal of having 20 per cent of all food spending by Nova Scotians being put towards locally produced food by 2030. The province also aims to source more than 20 per cent of food used in provincial government institutions from Nova Scotia suppliers.

“Selling more local foods to hospitals, universities and other public institutions opens up much-needed new market opportunities for our farmers,” said Agriculture Minister Greg Morrow at the announcement on Wednesday.

“Together, we can strengthen our local food system and boost our economy.”

The province has allocated $860,000 for the IDEA program.

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