The Prince Albert Food Coalition and a group of nursing students are hosting the Fall Food Fair on Tuesday to teach the public about healthy, cultural recipes.
For the past three years, the event was held at Parkland Hall. This year, however, it will take place at YWCA Settlement Services located at 65 11th St. E.
The Food Coalition will be teaching the group of students and anyone who wants to join how to make chicken biryani, an Indian rice dish, kabsa, a Saudi Arabian rice and meat dish, and bannock.
They’ll then serve the food to the public for free.
Nursing student Amanda LePage said she was tasked to work in food security for her community clinical.
She said they’re hoping for a turnout of about 200 people.
“In the past, they just had bannock and soup, so we kind of want to change it a little bit, and plus it’s at the Wesley site…(where) people are all refugees and newcomers, so we wanted to make it comfortable for them,” said LePage.
“Canada is becoming more diverse everyday.”
LePage said organizing the Food Fair has been an eye-opening experience.
“In our community, food insecurity is very prevalent. I honestly didn’t realize that until I came into this clinical in September,” she said.
LePage has been in touch with several organizations for the event, such as grocery stores for food donations. She also talked to the Food Bank’s executive director, Kim Scruby.
She was shocked by many of the facts he told her, such as that nearly half of their clients are children.
LePage said she’s exposed to people in poor health condition while working at the hospital, and it all starts with what you put in your body.
“Your health begins with how you eat,” she said. “If people can’t afford to eat healthy, you’re not going to, and that can lead to more problems. If you’re just eating the cheap food, chips and stuff all the time, that’s not good for your body.”
They’ll have the recipes printed out for people to take home and try for themselves.
“It’s going to give some people who might be food insecure just some resources that they may find helpful,” emphasized LePage.
She said she’s gotten plenty of positive feedback while hanging up posters for the event.
“They’re all so happy that we’re doing this because it’s just a good way to bring the community together and touch on those topics in our community that people might not be aware of.”
The Fall Food Fair begins at 5 p.m. with booths and a door prize before the meal is served at 6.
