COLD LAKE – A new initiative could help residents gain essential cooking skills while addressing food insecurity in the community.
If approved, a grant could support a Food Security and Culinary Skills Development Program offered through the Stepping Stones Crisis Society, equipping participants with meal planning, budgeting, and cooking knowledge, and strengthening ties with local agricultural producers.
The City of Cold Lake passed a motion at its March 11 regular council meeting to apply for the Small Opportunity Program Grant in partnership with the Stepping Stones Crisis Society.
Partnership
Andrew Serba, manager of economic development, communications, and strategy with the City of Cold Lake, explained why the municipality's involvement is needed.
“The Stepping Stones Crisis Society applied for a Small Community Opportunity Program grant to provide operational dollars for a food security program.” However, an unexpected hurdle arose in the application process.
“The program itself has met the Small Community Opportunity Program's eligibility requirements; however, it turns out that Stepping Stones, as the applicant, does not,” Serba stated.
Since municipalities are eligible to apply, Stepping Stones hsa requested the City of Cold Lake act as the lead applicant.
“The society has requested that the City of Cold Lake partner on the application to bring it within eligibility. The City would then take over the application with Stepping Stones as a partner,” said Serba.
If successful, the City will enter into an agreement with the province to administer the grant funds, with reporting requirements largely managed by Stepping Stones staff.
Administrative responsibilities
“FCSS and Stepping Stones would also identify an appropriate split of the administrative portion of that grant to ensure that the City is not out for any staff time that it takes to administer the grant.”
CAO Kevin Nagoya confirmed that the grant application had already been submitted and was awaiting finalization.
"There's an approval letter that's now on file, so this is an authorization for us to actually do this project for this relationship,” said Nagoya.
Impact on existing programs
Coun. Vicky Lefebvre asked if the initiative would impact existing FCSS cooking programs for teenagers that already exist.
Nagoya assured her that there would be no negative impact to programs in place.
Council approved a motion to proceed with the partnership.
