The province is committing up to $8.5 million to fight food insecurity in BC.
On Friday, officials announced that Food Banks BC will receive $6 million to use over the next three years for its Emergency Food Purchasing program.
The program works to provide nutritious, culturally appropriate food to people experiencing food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic and recovery.
Funding will be disbursed through food banks and community agencies throughout the province, including rural and remote communities that have few other supports.
A further $2.5 million will go to the Perishable Food Recovery program, which will support food banks to build capacity to store and distribute perishable food items under refrigeration.
"Food Banks BC is deeply grateful to the B.C. government for its commitment to fighting hunger and food insecurity in BC," said Dan Huang-Taylor, executive director, Food Banks BC.
"The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has further escalated the need to support British Columbians facing financial and food insecurity, with food banks across the province seeing increasing demand throughout this emergency.
"The funding provided by the BC government will enable food banks to purchase, store and distribute more high quality, nutritious food within their communities - something needed now more than ever."
For a full rundown of the funding and more information about the emergency food project, click here.
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