PANB Pledges To Address Food Security

The leader of the People’s Alliance is pledging to address food security in New Brunswick.

Kris Austin said we are facing significant risks because most of our food is imported from elsewhere.

Austin said food security issues have become apparent during COVID-19 as store shelves emptied and imported food products were scarce.

“The concern is that going forward, food prices are going to increase, and we are going to be less able to provide for ourselves,” said Austin in a news release Tuesday.

Austin is promising to work with the agricultural sector to strengthen the local food supply. That would include ensuring temporary foreign workers are allowed to move permanently to the province to live and work.

He said the People’s Alliance would also invest in agricultural infrastructure to ensure farmers can produce more food.

Austin noted there is growing interest among New Brunswickers who want to be part of the solution, with younger residents expressing interest in farming and agricultural entrepreneurs who are seeing opportunities to invest in farms and year-round greenhouses.