One hospital in British Colombia is serving "plastic fruit cups from China" instead of B.C. fresh produce. Saanich Suth NDP MLA Lana Popham asked Kamloops-North Thompson MLA and Health Minister Terry Lake to explain why this is.
L. Popham: It's a wonderful time of year for agriculture in B.C. Harvests are coming in. Farmers markets are overflowing. Sales are being made, and B.C. consumers are enjoying an incredible bounty of choice.
Given this bounty, can the Minister of Agriculture tell me why patients at their Vanderhoof hospital are being served fruit from China?
T. Lake: There is no question that B.C.'s agricultural sector is enjoyed across the world. In fact, over 200 commodities are exported around the world. We recognize that using local products in our health care facilities does provide important health, economic and environmental benefits to British Columbians.
Because of this, health authorities across the province do provide a variety of local products whenever possible.
The Ministry of Health also funds a variety of programs that support British Columbians' access to fresh fruit and healthy local foods, including the farmers market nutrition coupon program — one that is very popular — the school fruit-and-vegetable nutritional program and the farm-to-schools B.C. program.
