Labrador and Aboriginal
Affairs
February 15, 2010
Minister Provides Update on Air Foodlift Subsidy
The Honourable John
Hickey, Minister of Labrador Affairs, today provided an
update on the delivery of the Air Foodlift Subsidy (AFS)
for the South Coast and Straits of Labrador. Minister
Hickey noted that retailers will experience reduced
periods of activity in the AFS program this season due
to the addition of the MV Sir Robert Bond run between
Corner Brook and Blanc Sablon, and the recent opening of
Phase lll of the Trans Labrador Highway.
"Thanks to unprecedented
investments in transportation infrastructure and
services, many retailers on the South Coast and Straits
are benefiting from a vastly improved transportation
system and their reliance on the AFS program to offset
the cost of nutritious perishable items during these
winter months is greatly lessened," said Minister
Hickey. "However, it is important to stress that
assistance through the AFS program will be available
when it is needed. If the marine service is interrupted
due to adverse ice conditions or inclement weather, the
AFS program will be made available to participating
retailers."
The AFS program is an
important subsidy that assists retailers to provide
consumers with nutritious, perishable foods at a
reasonable cost. This program is geared towards rural
coastal communities in Labrador where regular road and
marine transportation is non-existent in winter months.
Under the AFS program, a
subsidy is paid to retail stores to offset the high cost
of flying perishable foods into these communities.
Retailers are required to pass these savings on to the
consumer on the cost of goods sold.
A list of eligible food
items can be found at:
www.laa.gov.nl.ca/laa/programs_we_offer/eligible_items.html
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Media contact:
John Tompkins
Director of Communications
Department of Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs
709-729-1674, 728-7762
jtompkins@gov.nl.ca
2010 02 15
10:25 a.m.
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