Flying food in fresh: aboriginal Affairs at the table for food distribution network.

AuthorRoss, Ian
PositionDRYDEN/SIOUX LOOKOUT

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

One of the North's most extensive and meaningful social enterprise ventures will finally take off next year with the construction of a First Nations regional food distribution centre in Sioux Lookout.

Town economic development manager Vicki Blanchard said discussions are underway with Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada toward selecting a candidate to write the business plan for the proposed network, to supply 16 remote communities with affordable and fresh food.

A request for proposals has been released toward selecting a contractor who will run the logistics and warehousing operation out of a new 11,875-square-foot distribution centre to be built this fall at the airport. Operations start next spring.

A non-profit logistics corporation will be tasked with coordinating volumes of freight to ensure perishable food and other goods get to the isolated communities in a timely fashion.

Blanchard said talks with Aboriginal Affairs and other government funding agencies are ongoing to finance the $2.5-million initiative.

The network's initial working group involved the Municipality of Sioux Lookout, CreeWest General Partnership and the communities of Lac Seul and Kitchenuhmaykoosib First Nations, though more public and private sector partners are likely to come aboard.

"We plan to bring all the chiefs into Sioux Lookout this summer and the process will be kicked off with a meeting with all the private sector and community partners," said Blanchard.

The list of invitees includes companies and organizations like Wal-Mart, Sysco, Cloverbelt Local Food Co-op and Manitoulin Transport.

Blanchard said she's been contacted by a number of air carriers and other trucking companies about getting involved.

"We're encouraging all companies to participate in the development of the operational plan. Their knowledge is important to us."

After the signing of a memorandum of understanding last December to establish a food distribution corporation, it was initially thought the operation would start by fall.

But Blanchard maintains things are not slowing down.

"We are making great headway because we now have Aboriginal Affairs as a partner," she said.

"It is a labour of love and people are working hard with us. We have not lost momentum."

After last December's signing ceremony...

To continue reading

Request your trial

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT