Nutrition North Canada

On May 21, 2010, the Government of Canada announced that the current Food Mail Program will be replaced by Nutrition North Canada. The new program is a cost-effective, market driven model, designed to ensure that healthy foods are more accessible and affordable to Canadians living in isolated Northern communities.

The new program’s subsidy will be focused on the most nutritious perishable foods, consistent with Eating Well with Canada's Food Guide  , which promotes a pattern of healthy eating over a lifetime. Nutrition North Canada also includes a provision to improve access to commercially-produced, traditional Northern foods.

What’s new:

On December 1, 2010, the Government of Canada released introductory Subsidy rates.

The transition to the new program has already started and will occur in two phases

• Phase 1: As of October 3, 2010, non-food items, most non-perishable foods and some perishable foods of little nutritional value are no longer eligible for shipment to eligible communities (with exceptions for communities without marine service) under the Food Mail Program, and a revised eligibility list has come into effect. 
  
  
• Phase 2: On April 1, 2011, Nutrition North Canada will officially replace the Food Mail Program and new subsidy rates will come into effect, which will provide a higher rate of subsidy for the most nutritious perishable foods such as fruits, vegetables, bread, fresh meats, milk and eggs, as well as a lower rate of subsidy for other items. Ineligibility of non-food items and non-perishable foods will also be extended to communities without marine service. 

Nutrition North Canada will provide funding directly to retailers and wholesalers who already ship large volumes of food and goods to the North. This will enable them to negotiate the best possible prices for their consumers. Arrangements with retailers and wholesalers will set out the responsibilities for program accountability and transparency. Food suppliers will receive funding based on the total per kilogram weight of eligible foods shipped to each eligible community. Individuals and institutions will also be able to place personal orders and benefit from the subsidy.

In addition, Health Canada  will partner with communities to offer culturally-appropriate nutrition and health promotion initiatives. These nutrition promotion and retail education initiatives will provide vital information on the use, marketing and preparation of nutritious foods to support healthy eating.

On November 25, 2010 a new External Advisory Board was announced. This Board will give Northerners a direct voice in the program and provide advice related to its management and effectiveness.

What Information is Available?

• Introductory Subsidy Rates as of April 1, 2011
• Glossary of Terms
• Fact Sheet – October 3, 2010
• Frequently Asked Questions – October 3, 2010
• Fact Sheet for Northern Retailers and Southern Suppliers
• FAQs – May 21, 2010
• Nutrition North Canada announcement
• FAQs
• Eligibility List Phase I - October 3, 2010
• Eligibility List Phase II - April 1, 2011
• Community eligibility as of April 1, 2011
• Advisory Board's Terms of Reference

You may also be interested in:

• Minister Duncan Announces Nutrition North Canada External Advisory Board
• Food Mail Program (until March 31, 2011)
• Eating Well with Canada's Food Guide  

Contact Us

For more information about Nutrition North Canada.

Nutrition North Canada Program
Phone: 819 994-4810
Fax: 819 953-9309
E-mail: nnc@ainc-inac.gc.ca