Improving Access to Healthy Food in Hamilton with "The Easy Box"

The Hamilton Good Food Box Network was established in 2011 to make fresh fruits and vegetables more accessible for all Hamiltonians.  Since then, with the help of volunteer packers, drivers, site coordinators and others the program now packs and distributes Good Food Boxes to over 350 families and individuals each month.  The program allows people to buy a share of fresh, seasonal produce for only $15 which has a retail value of $25-35!  To learn more about this exciting Hamilton Eat Local initiative click here.

Not everyone can afford to participate, however, and it's clear that among all Ontario Works recipients, single people are worst off because they end up having to live with a substantial income shortfall of $144 every single month -- that income deficit makes it next to impossible for OW Singles to afford a healthy balanced diet.  Click here to view the video Unequal Access to Healthy Food by Project Video.

A group of concerned citizens formed the Nutritious Food Plan Committee (NFPC) in order to find and promote ways to address this serious problem.  A special Good Food Box program was proposed
as a solution that would begin with a pilot program, and this motion by Ward 2 Councillor Brian McHattie was passed at a meeting of the city's Board of Health back on October 15, and with some adjustments was passed again by Hamilton's City Council on October 30.

"The Easy Box" will offer OW Singles several items of easy-to-prepare fresh fruits and vegetables in a dignified, community based manner.

This short but powerful film was first screened at that pivotal meeting of the Board of Health... please watch, be moved, and then share!  Click on the link below to view it.