For many southern Canadian cities, access to fresh and local foods is fairly easy, especially in the summer. But, for many northern Canadian communities, where food and supplies are flown in only periodically, eating healthfully isn't so easy.

Nutrition North is a Government of Canada subsidy program designed to help offset the high cost of food in isolated northern communities. Eligible areas must lack year-round surface transportation (no permanent road, rail or marine access), excluding isolation caused by freeze-up and break-up.

The program improves access to more nutritional, perishable foods--a full watermelon has been known to cost up to $75 in some northern communities. The program also pledges to support “country food”: local, traditionally harvested food including fish, seal, a variety of whales, polar bear, birds, eggs, berries and shrimp. The government has committed to introducing a Harvesters Support Grant to help lower the high costs associated with traditional hunting and harvesting activities.