NW Health Unit Staff Discuss Food Security During the CoVid-19 Experience

ConVid-19 Food Security NWHU Northwestern Health Unit
Stephanie Cran and Lindsay Burry from the North Western Health Unit (NWHU) highlighted for Rotarians and 13 guests the issue of food security before and during the CoVid-19 crisis.
Stephanie began by briefly sharing what they do during normal times such supporting the schools through the Student Nutrition program, the Northern Fruit and Vegetable program, Nutrition on Weekends, and You’re the Chef Program. In addition she described such community based programs such as Diabetes Prevention, cooking classes, nutrition education, workplace healthy meetings and events.
 
With the onset of CoVid-19, their focus has shifted to food security such as how can they ensure that all those that were being supported by schools and food banks continue to get food. They have diverted some funding to this task and have received some new funding allowing them to support local our communities with the help of partners.
 
LHIN Health Hub ​​Area^
​Positive
​Negative
​Pending​
Total tests
Resolved​
​Kenora Health Hub Area
2
477
572
1051
​2
​Dryden Health Hub Area
​4
374
127
505
​4
​Red Lake Health Hub Area
​2
95
76
173
​2
​Sioux Lookout Health Hub Area
2
189
123
​314
​1
​Rainy River Health Hub Area
​1
59​
28
​88
​1
​Emo Health Hub Area
​0
22
24
46
​0
​Fort Frances Health Hub Area
​1
627
214
842
​1
​Atikokan Health Hub Area​
​4
192
77
273
4
Other
2*
0
​0
​2
​1
​Totals
18
​2035
​1241
​3294
​16
Source: iPHIS. Date extracted May 16, 2020
 
Cran indicated they needed to be flexible and be able to change course if circumstances change. Their long term goal is health equity.
 
 Lindsay followed Stephanie and  described what was happening locally. She described how Schools are supporting students/families through weekly deliveries. Other organizations are supporting the needy through food hampers, deliveries, and meal programs.  However, additional support is needed particularly in the areas of transportation, organization, packing food hampers, and supporting seniors who cannot leave their homes.
 
After the presentation Rotarians discussed how they as Rotarians might help.