The Alberni Valley Food Security Group works to foster inter-agency collaboration and local engagement that supports initiatives moving towards greater access to local food in our community. AVFSG prioritizes actions that promote local food production and recovery, community education, relationship building and aligned governance.
The group strives towards a Food Secure Alberni Valley: when all people, at all times, have access to nutritious, safe, personally acceptable and culturally appropriate foods, produced in ways that are environmentally sound and socially just. The Alberni Valley Food Security Group promotes a wide variety of community-led initiatives and facilitates several unique programs including our Local Food boxes, The Gleaning Project and Grow Local which comprises of school gardens support and teachings, informational gardening videos, public workshops, and community events.
The AV Food Security group operates within the ancestral, unceded and traditional territory of the Hupacasath and Tseshaht First Nations. We seek to increase our understanding of indigenous food systems and respectfully acknowledge the keepers of this land.
\ Hub Lead: Alberni Valley Food Security Group
As the manager of the Alberni Valley Food Security Group, Stephanie works to strengthen local food security and sovereignty. In her role, she participates in initiatives that bring appropriate access to food for all members of her community. Stephanie holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree and a postgraduate certificate in Community Development. She is passionate about the tremendous impact of food and believes collaboration is key to maximizing the impact of every intention.
Stephanie’s background includes work in municipalities, non-profits, social advocacy groups and advising services for private business and social-enterprises. She is fortunate to live, work and explore with her young family in the Alberni Valley; acknowledging it as the traditional lands of the Hupačasath and Tseshaht First Nations. At any given time, you may find her in the midst of some sort of botanical endeavour; she enjoys gardening, preserving, foraging, holistic nutrition, and herbalism.
stephanie@avfood.caHélène is a Public Health dietitian with Island Health. She works at promoting health through food and nutrition in Oceanside, Alberni Valley and West Coast and supports the work of food hubs in this area. Hélène acknowledges the territories of Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations (Southern & Central Regions) as well as Qualicum First Nations where she is so grateful to be able to live, work and play. She acknowledges and respects the Nations’ traditions that are based strongly on the land of their ancestors and oral history passed down from preceding generations. Hélène commits to continue to learn the culture these Indigenous Nations embrace.
Her community nutrition role encompasses a broad set of activities including nutrition education, nutrition and health promotion as well as assessment and planning to meet communities’ needs to access a safe, adequate and healthful diet. She especially enjoys translating general nutrition recommendations into action and is passionate about working with her communities to support food and nutrition security.
Island Health: Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District
helene.dufour@islandhealth.ca
250-731-1315
© Island Food Hubs