Food First NL

08/28/2026

Monday (August 31) is the deadline to submit your thoughts on the upcoming Poverty Reduction and Prevention Strategy!
https://www.engagenl.ca/en/poverty-reduction-and-prevention-strategy

What do you want to see in there? What could help us hold the government accountable? No suggestion is too small or too big — now is the time for big ideas!

Check out our submission (below) for ideas and our recommendations.

https://www.foodfirstnl.ca/blog/recommendations-poverty-reduction-strategy

As a member of the Newfoundland and Labrador Anti-Poverty Coalition (NLAPC), Food First NL fully endorses the recommendations in the Coalition’s submission . Several recommendations in the NLAPC’s submission are particularly critical to advancing the right to food in Newfoundland and Labrador. T...

08/25/2026

If you couldn't catch our recent Lunch and Learn with Sheldon Laing of Labrador West Community Gardens Inc., we have great news for you: that chat is now online!

Sheldon talks through the challenges and successes of growing in Labrador, what's in store for the future, and more! Find it -- and all our videos -- on our YouTube page: https://f.mtr.cool/wz9kdmwsw5

08/21/2026

A beautiful update from Sharing The Harvest NL to bring you into the weekend with the best vibes 🎣❤

08/20/2026

The average NL Nutritious Food Basket cost $1,344 per month in 2025.
That's $336 every week for a family of four to have enough nutritious food. On Labrador's North Coast, that cost increases to $501.

Highlights below or read our full analysis at https://f.mtr.cool/epbmcjkanw

The latest data from the NL Stats Agency show that food price increases have slowed. Unfortunately, they're still unaffordable for most people. Folks continue to leave grocery stores feeling defeated after making hard choices about what to buy. Food bank use continues to break records.

It's time for incomes to catch up. Everyone is feeling the hit at the grocery store, and low-income families feel it the most.

While the provincial Income Support Benefit rates increased in 2025, they're still not tied to inflation. That means that, as food prices and fixed costs increase, families' benefits will need to stretch farther. Increasing costs will gobble up that rate increase quickly. And the increase wasn't enough to begin with.

Similarly, the minimum wage is still well below a living wage. The legislated annual increases — which are tied to inflation — aren't enough to bring incomes up to a stable standard of living.

Everyone deserves to eat with joy and dignity. Income solutions must be part of that work.

08/17/2026

Tomorrow's Lunch and Learn is one you won't want to miss! Join us for a conversation with Sheldon Laing of the Labrador City Community Garden and learn about how their garden works, the challenges of growing in Labrador, and the success stories they've been a part of.

Register today!

📅 Tuesday, August 18 | 12:30 pm NDT
Register via Zoom: https://f.mtr.cool/vfjeuurwyj

08/13/2026

Opportunity to weigh in on the upcoming Poverty Reduction and Prevention Strategy!

The online survey takes about five minutes, or you can send in a written submission with more detail and feedback by email or mail.

A province where everyone can eat with joy and dignity is a province where everyone has the income to get the food they want and need. A strong and effective Poverty Reduction and Prevention Strategy is critical to make that happen.

Help Shape the 10-Year Poverty Reduction and Prevention Strategy 💬

Your feedback can help inform the priorities and actions that will guide Newfoundland and Labrador's 10-Year Poverty Reduction and Prevention Strategy.

Complete the anonymous online survey or submit written feedback by August 31, 2026.

📰 Learn more: www.gov.nl.ca/releases/2026/sswb/0803n02/
💬 Participate: www.engagenl.ca/en/poverty-reduction-and-prevention-strategy

08/12/2026

A new experience for our staff — traffic box painting!

We spent the last few sunny afternoons beautifying the traffic box at the corner of Pennywell and Columbus in St. John’s. Each side represents a stage of growth – planting seeds, watering and care, growth and maturity, and harvest. It honours our natural growth cycles and the way we approach our work. Plus, it adds a dash of colour and whimsy to a long wait at the lights, don’t you think?

Check it out – at the red light! – next time you’re driving by. Thanks to the City of St. John's Department of Community Services for the opportunity, and to all our staff who literally left their mark on this one.

08/10/2026

If you’ve ever visited the Labrador City Community Garden, you know what a special place it is. It’s filled with dedicated gardeners, growing loads of food. We’re delighted to have Sheldon Laing, their Board Chair, lead this month’s lunch and learn! You’ll learn more about the community garden’s inner workings, challenges, and successes.

📅 Tuesday, August 18 | 12:30 pm NDT
Register via Zoom: https://f.mtr.cool/lmfpomjqsf

08/06/2026

We've hit the hazy days of August. As you're enjoying your summer fun, don't forget to take breaks from the sun and stay hydrated! And why not take a look through the August edition of the Food First NL newsletter, too?

Full of our program updates, hot summer events, and cool learning opportunities, our newsletter is a great monthly round-up of local and national food news. Sign up today and never miss another: https://f.mtr.cool/jparmibmrn