Growing in collaboration

The report also discusses the likely impacts of the efforts and the issues that have emerged, in the spirit of sharing knowledge, experiences and perspectives. [...] From the review of the projects that are described in the reports produced by the three organizations, as well as the from the more formal literature, we can identify the desired longer-term impacts of the food security work as being: Growing in Collaboration. [...] The Public Health Agency of Canada (Population Health Fund and Canadian Diabetes Strategy) was the first and largest supporter, and additional funding was received from the Manitoba government departments of Healthy Living Youth and Seniors, Conservation, Industry Trade and Mines, Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives, and Aboriginal and Northern Affairs. [...] When asked about the best part of being a northern grocer participants explained that there were many benefits to being a grocer in the North such as being a part of and being connected to the community; creating employment in the community; the daily challenges that keep the work interesting; and having the opportunity to influence community food security. [...] Ongoing initiatives spearheaded by HET include the development of a Northern Good Food Box manual and accompanying resources, the awarding of certificates to restaurants and convenience and grocery stores for providing healthy foods, and the drop the pop program in schools.