HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2008-10-09, Page 28Staff at the county’s homes for the
aged are taking a fresh look at food.
In response to a request from
members of county council, homes
administrator Barb Springall and
nutrition care manager Connie
Townsend investigated ways to use
more locally grown foods at
Huronlea in Brussels and Huronview
in Tuckersmith.
A report was brought back to
council at the Oct. 1 meeting. From
it there were three recommendations
which received approval. The first
was that request for proposals for the
provision of meat, milk and dairy
products be initiated. The second
was to investigate utilizing the Good
Food Box program to supplement
produce purchases.
A report regarding the full cost of
using the program will be prepared
by the treasury department and
presented at meeting of council’s
cultural services and seniors
committee.
Making a move to incorporate a
Buy Local, Buy Fresh initiative into
the homes’ kitchens is something
Townsend feels will be relatively
smooth. She said that for many years
they have supported local produce
vendors through the purchase of
seasonal foods such as strawberries,
asparagus, field tomatoes, corn on
the cob, apples, turkeys and
pumpkins.“I don’t anticipate any big
challenges in adding more.”
Springall agrees, but with an
addendum. “Anything new always
has kinks to work out.”
Admitting that it would be naive to
assume there wouldn’t be any
gliches, Townsend said the one big
issue she could think of at this time
will be storage. “We are probably
going to need to bring items in twice
a week.”
What is proposed would be to
utilize a local meat butcher for a
portion of the protein food items.
“With this opportunity, the residents
would get more fresh, not frozen
meat,” said Townsend.
It is also anticipated that could be
a wider variety such as sandwich
meats and store-made products not
available through the distributor.
A transition to a local dairy for
milk products would be seamless,
Townsend said. “Winter delivery can
be improved as the source would be
closer.”
This could also potentially result
in lower delivery or product costs,
she noted.
The home would continue with the
seasonal foods they are already
purchasing and would increase when
possible.
However, that said, there are
factors to consider. “For example the
homes purchase frozen diced turnip
and use five bags per use. Staff time
to prepare adequate numbers of fresh
turnip would not be productive.”
In her report to council Townsend
said that the homes need to maintain
their existing relationship with a
London-based food distributor for a
number of reasons. The company
provides opportunities for input into
menu development helping to ensure
the homes offer menu choices that
are acceptable to the current
population.
The Ministry of Health and Long
Term Care mandates that a variety of
food be offered under Canada’s
Food Guide.
“It is based on a four-week cycle.
There’s a lot of paperwork involved
in changing the menu,” said
Townsend.
Damaged goods purchased
through the distribution agreement
can be returned for credit.
Also the arrangement provides the
homes with the opportunity to
benefit from group/bulk purchased.
And with the company focus on
long-term care, Townsend said they
benefit from specialized expertise.
While Springall suspects thatcompany may try to encourage moreof the business back, the currentcontract does not stipulate aminimum purchase. “Cutting backshouldn’t have any impact. People
are becoming more interested in
supporting the local economy. I
suspect more municipalities will be
looking into this.”
Though a University of
Torontostudy in 2006 showed 15 per
cent cost increase in using locally-
grown food, Springall said the
“jury’s kind of still out.”
And the additional dollars that
came through in ‘raw food’ funding
from the province “has helped lead
us to develop this kind of thing,” saidSpringall. With local vendors and groceriesalready monitored by the health unitfood safety is not a concern. “We didagree with a health unit
representative that vendors would be
vetted through her following health
unit guidelines.”
“Obviously with the clientele we
are serving we want to make sure
we’re using a reputable source. It
would be a concern if there was any
issue named by the health unit.”
“We have always supported
buying locally. The ultimate goal
will be to get as much local product
here as we can,” said Townsend.
A 13-year-old Seaforth girl got the
county’s attention.
Marissa Scott attended the Sept.
16 Huron County council committee
of the whole meeting to discuss the
use of plastic shopping bags. She
delivered a speech and Power Point
presentation outlining the harm
these bags are causing to the
environment.
She explained that the bags are
made from non-renewable sources
and take up to 1,000 years to
decompose.
She noted the dangers to wildlife
that eat the bags and suggested
alternatives.
Scott has delivered her message to
municipal council as well and at the
end of her talk distributed reusable
shopping bags which she purchased
from her babysitting money. To date
she has given away almost 400
bags.
She also asked council to consider
imposing a tax or a ban on plastic
shopping bags.
At the Oct. 1 meeting county
council, Ashfield-Colborne-
Wawanosh councillor Neil Rintoul
suggested that council find a way to
extend appreciation to Scott. “She
deserves credit. This was an
excellent presentation, and the fact
that she purchased those bags from
her babysitting money is
something.”
While a monetary value was first
suggested Huron East’s Bernie
MacLellan suggested a gift or award
would be more appropriate.
“A cheque doesn’t sit well with
me.”
After some discussion an idea
from warden John Bezaire of
Central Huron was agreed upon. The
county will be purchasing either 20
bags or up to $100 worth from a
local manufacturer so Scott can
“continue her campaign”.
A recommendation instructing
staff to bring back a strategy report
on how to proceed carried.
Good food
Nutrition care manager for the county homes for the aged, Connie Townsend, left, and homes
administrator Barb Springall discuss what’s on the menu for residents. Administration is
currently working on a buy local initiative that will see an increase in the amount of locally-
grown food brought into the homes. (Bonnie Gropp photo)
PAGE 28. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2008.
13-year-old gets
county’s attention
County homes take fresh look at food
Lobb
BEN
Authorized by Stephen Baker, Offi cial Agent for Ben Lobb
A stronger, safer, better Canada.
Since December 2005, I’ve been at over 12,000 of your
doorsandhavelistenedcloselyasyousharedyourvision
for our communities and for Canada. You expect and deserve
results. During my career as Business Analyst with Wescast in
Wingham and as Cost Analyst with Desire 2 Learn in Waterloo,
I’ve learned that results matter! My family have been farmers
and business owners in Huron County for over 150 years and they’ve passed down a strong
work ethic and sense of community pride. This forms my vision for Huron-Bruce; to build a
new relationship with Ottawa and to help build a stronger, safer, better Canada. Again, thank
you for your support. On October 14th, please vote Ben Lobb - Conservative.
sincerely,
For a ride to the polls please call 1-877-524-6560
Conservative
By Bonnie Gropp
The Citizen
By Bonnie Gropp
The Citizen