Fredericton – On June 10, Green Party critic for Agriculture and MLA for Kent North, Kevin Arseneau, tabled a bill to ensure the province creates and maintains a sustainable, self-sufficient local food industry. 

“The COVID-19 pandemic has made it clear that we need to ensure that we can produce a sufficient supply of food to feed New Brunswickers here at home,” says Arseneau. “We only produce 8 percent of the fruits and vegetables we consume in the province. We need to do better.”

The bill aims to strengthen and ensure a sustainable local food economy in New Brunswick, promote local food procurement and access for public institutions, improve the health of New Brunswickers through increased availability of fresh local food and provide students with food, agriculture and garden-based education in schools. 

“It has never been more important to support the farmers who, alongside other primary producers like fishers, aquaculture farmers, and woodlot owners, are the backbone of our local communities. I hope that all members of the Legislative Assembly will join me in moving this bill forward.” says Arseneau.