Community Story: Sooke Food CHI Meets with Federal Representative to Discuss Food Security and Community Needs

The District of Sooke is pleased to share the following on behalf of Sooke Region Food CHI:

Sooke Region Food CHI recently met with Maneet Sidhu, representative of the Honourable Stephanie McLean, Member of Parliament for Esquimalt—Saanich—Sooke.

The meeting featured a strong address by Sooke Food CHI President Ellen Lewers, who highlighted the organization’s history and its important work supporting local food security. Glen Thelin, manager and caretaker of the Sunriver Community Orchard, also gave a presentation on the orchard’s history. He explained how Sooke Food CHI maintains the orchard and preserves the heritage of the Sooke region by collecting cuttings from historic local trees and grafting them into the orchard’s collection.

Sooke Region Food CHI was the recipient of a $42,000 grant from the federal government to support and expand the gleaning project. This will allow the organization to store fruit picked both from the orchard trees and through the gleaning project. The fruit will be safely stored in a sea can before being distributed to local food banks, churches serving lunches, Meals on Wheels, schools, and other non-profits involved in community food distribution.

Attendees discussed how federal support for a local food hub and a dedicated paid coordinator position would greatly benefit the region. Such support would help manage Sooke Food CHI’s many events, community gardens, and programs assisting families and individuals of all ages in accessing healthy local food.

The productive meeting was also attended by three District of Sooke councillors: Al Beddows, Herb Haldane, and Kevin Pearson.

Sooke Food CHI continues to play a vital role in strengthening the local food system through farmer bursaries, Seedy Saturday, the Apple Festival, gleaning programs, and advocacy for greater food security across the West Shore.

To learn more about Sooke Region Food CHI Society, visit their website: www.sookefoodchi.ca. 

Sooke Region Food CHI is part of the Sooke Region Food Systems Network, a collaborative community of like-minded organizations working to strengthen local food systems. The Network is supported by a District of Sooke Council member and a staff liaison, helping to foster coordination, collaboration, and alignment with community and Council priorities.