ICYMI: A new initiative to improve food security in Northern Manitoba, the cost of sugar consumption, and more

Here are five food stories you might have missed this week

Although the majority of the headlines you’ve likely come across since our last ICYMI continue to produce plenty of cause for concern, we’ve also been treated to a fair amount of interesting and positive stories from throughout the past week. 

From a Manitoba food-growing initiative’s mission to combat food insecurity in the province’s northern communities to a shocking report outlining the hidden costs associated with sugar consumption, to the journey of one orange from an orchard in California to Inuvik, N.W.T., here are five stories you might have missed this week.

Manitoba food-growing initiative expands to service northern Manitoba

A story we missed last week that has since gained significant traction comes courtesy of a Manitoba food-growing initiative that recently acquired a new van that will allow it to deliver fresh vegetables to northern Manitoba.

As of last week, the Churchill Northern Studies Centre’s Rocket Greens project has already delivered more than 60,000 units of fresh, locally-grown vegetables to the northern town. 

Visit CBC News for the full story.

Sugar consumption in Canada comes at a surprisingly high cost

A first-of-its-kind study from the University of Alberta recently revealed the hidden costs associated with sugar consumption in Canada. According to the study, two out of three Canadians eat more sugar than recommended, while only 34 per cent met the recommended amount. 

The report goes on to say that if the majority of Canadians complied with the recommended guidelines—no more than 5 per cent daily—rates of type 2 diabetes could be lowered by 44.8 per cent, while saving roughly $5 billion in annual health-care costs. 

Head to the National Post for the full breakdown.

An orange’s journey from California to the Arctic

CBC News recently put together an interesting investigation into the volatile costs associated with produce items in Northern Canada by following one orange’s journey from an orchard in California to Inuvik, N.W.T. 

Throughout the harrowing journey, CBC breaks down exactly what drives the cost up, while illustrating both the positive and negative impacts that the process has on food insecure Canadians. 

Find the full story here.

A&W launches new compostable coffee cup

This week, A&W Canada launched the initial rollout of what it claims to be Canada’s first lidless, fully-compostable coffee cup at 14 participating restaurants across Toronto. 

According to the company, the Zero Cup, which has no lid or straw and is made entirely of paper, was designed to mitigate the toll non-reusable plastics have on both the landfill and the environment. 

Find out more in this Eat North news bite.

Deer goes viral after walking along a Tim Hortons drive-thru in Okotoks

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Tim Hortons (@timhortons)

An Okotoks Tim Hortons has been attracting national attention after sharing a photograph of a deer standing at the drive-thru’s pickup window. 

Some of the notable comments from within the article include "Everyone’s looking for Timbiebs swag," "Only in Alberta," and "I want to know what he ordered.”

Head to CTV News for more.