Following her Community Forum on Agriculture in Creston, MLA Michelle Mungall has engaged the help of University of British Columbia Masters student Paris Marshall Smith to support initiatives that will increase Kootenay Lake communities’ food security.
In March, Mungall heard from local farmers and food lovers that there is much to be done to support farmers and strengthen local food systems, so Mungall took on the task. UBC’s School for Community and Regional Planning offered the expertise with graduate students like Marshall who were interested in internships. Pairing Marshall Smith with the project of supporting local food in the Kootenays “was a natural fit,” says Mungall.
“I am very pleased to have Paris join my team,” adds Mungall. “As a student in the Master in Community and Rural development program at UBC, she brings a high level of skills to work with farmers and food lovers for increased regional food security.”
“Many people have told me that they want to make the 100 Mile Diet more than just a trend, but a normal way of life. In fact, the Creston Community Forum not only inspired this project, but also Jen Barclay who has started Frattoria, a marketing business for local food. The momentum is there, and Paris is here to capture it and work with locals for local food.”
Familiar with the region, Marshall has been managing the large gardens and “food flow” at the East Shore’s Yasodhara Ashram for the past two years. “Food is my passion, and being able to complement my studies with an internship focused on supporting regional food systems is right up my alley,” says an enthusiastic Marshall Smith.
Over the summer months, Marshall Smith will start by meeting with agricultural producers and distributors throughout the Kootenay Lake region to identify the infrastructure and networks needed to get locally grown food to local tables. A draft action report will come forward in the Fall for public input at a large regional meeting.
“This is a win-win,” notes Mungall. “We get a dedicated person to work with us on an important issue with broad impact, and she gets to enhance her learning.”
In March, Mungall heard from local farmers and food lovers that there is much to be done to support farmers and strengthen local food systems, so Mungall took on the task. UBC’s School for Community and Regional Planning offered the expertise with graduate students like Marshall who were interested in internships. Pairing Marshall Smith with the project of supporting local food in the Kootenays “was a natural fit,” says Mungall.
“I am very pleased to have Paris join my team,” adds Mungall. “As a student in the Master in Community and Rural development program at UBC, she brings a high level of skills to work with farmers and food lovers for increased regional food security.”
“Many people have told me that they want to make the 100 Mile Diet more than just a trend, but a normal way of life. In fact, the Creston Community Forum not only inspired this project, but also Jen Barclay who has started Frattoria, a marketing business for local food. The momentum is there, and Paris is here to capture it and work with locals for local food.”
Familiar with the region, Marshall has been managing the large gardens and “food flow” at the East Shore’s Yasodhara Ashram for the past two years. “Food is my passion, and being able to complement my studies with an internship focused on supporting regional food systems is right up my alley,” says an enthusiastic Marshall Smith.
Over the summer months, Marshall Smith will start by meeting with agricultural producers and distributors throughout the Kootenay Lake region to identify the infrastructure and networks needed to get locally grown food to local tables. A draft action report will come forward in the Fall for public input at a large regional meeting.
“This is a win-win,” notes Mungall. “We get a dedicated person to work with us on an important issue with broad impact, and she gets to enhance her learning.”
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