Nova Scotia Lighthouse Project awards funding to address childhood obesity

Brett Chiasson and Meg Jackson, employees of Upward Mobility Kitchens East Inc., prepare meals at The Nook in Halifax. Upward Mobility Kitchens East Inc. is one of three funding recipients through the Nova Scotia Lighthouse Project. (Source: Province of Nova Scotia)

The Nova Scotia Lighthouse Project has awarded funding to three organizations to address childhood obesity and chronic disease in the province.

The successful recipients are Acadia University, Upward Mobility Kitchens East Inc. and Wasoqopa’q First Nations. The total amount of the funding is $1.05 million.

Acadia University will receive $320,643 to create a self-sustaining farm-to-school initiative that includes a greenhouse. The initiative will integrate nutrition education, sustainable agriculture and mental health support directly into the school curriculum at Northeast Kings Education Centre in Canning.

“The best way to build a healthier tomorrow is to begin upstream – where good food, joyful movement and self-worth take root early,” said Tavis Bragg, project lead, Grow & Go; adjunct professor at Acadia University, and teacher at Northeast Kings Education Centre. “Grow & Go is how we nurture that growth: from greenhouse to classroom, from kitchen to community. This is more than a project – it’s a path forward, and we invite others to walk and grow it with us.”

Upward Mobility Kitchens East Inc. will receive $334,384 to transform The Nook on Gottingen Street in Halifax, into a hub for youth-focused cooking classes and food literacy education.

Wasoqopa’q First Nation will receive the remaining $400,000 to create a space that fosters physical activity, mental resilience and community well-being through traditional Mi’kmaw teachings. The project will include an outdoor structure to promote traditional food sourcing, cleaning and preparation from Mi’kmaw teachings.

“When our Mi’kmaw youth are free to move, play and learn in culturally safe spaces, they build strength not only in body, but in spirit,” said Melanie Robinson-Purdy, director, Community Enhancement and Cultural Revitalization, Wasoqopa’q First Nation. “When our Mi’kmaw families and community members have our own culturally safe spaces to learn through land-based knowledge and traditional food harvesting on our lands, we reclaim our health, our identity and our honour. We will build strong foundations for all our relations from our neighbouring communities and all Mi’kma’ki. That is true reconciliation.”

Ninety-seven organizations applied for the Nova Scotia Lighthouse Project funding, nine of those organizations were invited to submit a proposal.

The Nova Scotia Lighthouse Project is in partnership between the province and Novo Nordisk Canada Inc. It invited businesses and academic and community organizations to submit proposals for funding to address barriers and challenges that contribute to poor health outcomes.

The initiative is delivered in collaboration with the Nova Scotia Health Innovation Hub and Life Sciences Nova Scotia.

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