The Halifax Regional Municipality and its Smart Cities Challenge partners are inviting residents to participate in public engagement sessions to help provide insight into how we can improve access to affordable, healthy food in our communities.

The Government of Canada’s Smart Cities Challenge will award $50 million to the submission with the best plan to use innovation, data, and technology to solve an important issue in that city.

As many as one in seven people in Halifax lack access to affordable, healthy food. Those most affected are seniors, low income families, newcomers, people with disabilities and single parents. This issue of food insecurity has long lasting negative impacts on physical, mental and social health and overall community wellbeing.

The municipality is working with the Halifax Partnership, United Way Halifax and other partners to submit an application by April 24 that focuses on addressing this critical issue.

The submission will be informed by input gathered through a series of facilitated public engagement sessions:

• Thursday, March 15
  • 2-4 p.m. at Halifax North Memorial Library

• Monday, March 19
  • 1-2:30 p.m. at Alderney Gate Public Library (Helen Creighton Room)

• Tuesday, March 20
  • 6-7:30 p.m. at Musquodoboit Harbour Public Library (Sand Dollar Room)

• Tuesday, March 20
  • 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Sackville Public Library (Fenerty Room)

• Wednesday, March 21
  • 3-4:30 p.m. at Halifax Central Public Library (BMO Room – 2nd Floor)

• Thursday, March 22
  • 10-11:30 a.m. at Halifax Central Public Library (BMO Room – 2nd Floor)

• Thursday, March 22
  • 7-8:30 p.m. at Keshen Goodman Public Library (Thomas Raddall Room)

• Friday, March 23
  • 3:30-4:30 p.m. at Captain William Spry Public Library (Program Room)

• Saturday, March 24
  • 12:30-1:30 p.m. at Sheet Harbour Public Library

Residents are also encouraged to provide feedback by completing an online survey. To ensure access to as many people as possible, printed copies of the survey are available at the municipal Customer Service Centres. Starting Wednesday, each of the branches of Halifax Public Libraries will also have hard copies of the survey at their locations.

Today, Mayor Mike Savage shared a videoencouraging residents to participate in the Smart Cities Challenge. Supporters are asked to share ideas and promote the initiative on Twitter using #SmartCitiesHFX.

To learn about this initiative, and other efforts to reduce poverty in the Halifax Regional Municipality, visit www.smartcitieshfx.ca

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Source: Media Release