Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs
December 7, 2007

Ministers Announce Enhancements to Air Foodlift Subsidy Program

Residents of coastal Labrador are benefitting from significant changes to the Air Foodlift Subsidy (AFS) Program.

The Honourable John Hickey, Minister of Labrador Affairs and the Honourable Patty Pottle, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, announced today enhancements to the annual AFS Program for Labrador for the winter shipping season, including an earlier start to the program and an updated eligible food list that focuses on nutritious items to support and encourage a healthier lifestyle. The program commenced November 14 for the north coast region and some south coast areas.

"The people who live on the north coast, south coast and the Straits of Labrador should expect, and are entitled to, the same standards of living that many of us take for granted," said Minister Hickey. "Our government will continue to monitor and review the Air Foodlift Subsidy Program to ensure it is utilized to its fullest potential for the people of Labrador."

In July and August, officials from the Department of Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs traveled the coast of Labrador to meet with retailers and hold public sessions to determine ways to improve the program. Based on the feedback provided, the AFS program will now begin five days after the closure of the shipping season versus the original 10-day waiting period. As well, the eligible food list under the program has been modified to reflect and encourage more healthy food choices. Eligible nutritious foods include fresh milk, cheese, meat, fish and poultry, fruits and vegetables, 100 per cent juice, and all baby food/formula.

"I am from the north coast of Labrador, and I know the challenges of traveling throughout the region, especially during the winter season. The Air Foodlift Subsidy Program is an excellent initiative that can save people money while assisting retailers to provide perishable items to consumers," said Minister Pottle. "Wholesome and nutritious food at reasonable prices is a life necessity that we should all be able to take advantage of. More importantly, the program will assist in the healthy growth of our children along the Labrador coast."

The AFS program was developed in 1997 to provide access to nutritious and perishable items for people living in coastal Labrador. The program operates only during winter months when shipping rates are at their highest and transportation is limited. Under the program, a subsidy is paid to enrolled retailers to offset the high cost of flying perishable foods into coastal communities. The retailer will then pass the savings along to consumers.

Currently, there are 20 communities involved in the AFS program. Since the Department of Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs assumed administration of the program in 2003, measures have been implemented to make it more efficient, including an increase in funding from $300,000 to $400,000 in the 2006 Provincial Budget. A program co-ordinator has been recently hired to administer the AFS program.

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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

2007 12 07                                                     10:15 a.m.


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