Public Health Association of BC Public Health Association of BC

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F2SBC Conference: Planting the Seed

Posted on April 12, 2023

Planting the Seed: Harvesting connections, ideas and community

Farm to School BC’s first provincial conference will convene a diverse group of food champions who are working to bring more healthy, local, and sustainable foods to the minds and plates of students in K-12 schools across BC.

Set for May 18th to 19th, 2023. Together, let’s harvest connections, ideas, and community this spring!

  • Goals: To celebrate the impact of both budding and established school food initiatives, listen to diverse f2s champions’ experiences and perspectives around school food, and generate a revitalized sense of connectedness and empowerment in our community.
  • Theme: Planting the seed: Harvesting Connections, Ideas and Community.

Direct questions and concerns to Emily Faris our Event Coordinator at events.coordinator@farmtoschoolbc.ca.

Farm to School BC is a Public Health Association of BC program for public good and is supported by the Province of British Columbia.

 

Learn more: f2sbcconference.ca

 

Registration

The early bird registration has closed, and final ticket prices are now in effect. Remember, we offer discounts for students attending secondary or post-secondary institutions and for seniors aged 65 and above.

Register Now

 

Draft Program Released

Farm to School BC is thrilled to unveil the preliminary schedule for the “Planting the Seed” Conference! Take a sneak peek at the two-day itinerary.

Learn More

 

Support the Conference

Promote sustainable local food systems by supporting Farm to School BC’s 2023 Conference, Planting the Seed. Bursaries will fund equitable, diverse representation and participation.

Sponsorships will fund operational expenses. Be recognized as a force for public good with your organization’s brand on our conference materials. Learn More 

 

Faces of the Conference

Familiarize yourself with our Keynote Speakers, Megan Zeni, Room to Play Consulting, and Jared Qwustenuxun Williams, Indigenous Food Educator.

Also, get to know the Program Advisory Body (PAB) members who are instrumental in shaping our program. Learn More

 

Volunteer

We are in search of volunteers who can assist us in making this conference a success.

The commitment required is a total of eight hours of work spread over the two days of the conference.

Learn More

Conference Field Trips

As part of our goal to highlight and celebrate the work of local food organizations, we are hosting three field trips on Wednesday, May 17th.

Learn More

 

Social Event

Join us for the post-conference networking and social event on May 18th from 4pm to 6pm at the Gallery on the 4th floor of the Nest.

Learn More

 

Venue and Accommodations

This conference is taking place in The Nest at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. Further details about how to get there, accessibility, and discounts for nearby hotels are on our website.

Learn More

 

 

 

PHABC Webinar: What can we do when laws harm public health?

Posted on April 11, 2023

Dr. Tim Takaro, Professor Emeritus and Physician-Scientist in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Simon Fraser University, shares his recent climate activism in an exploration of the ethics of climate change and health action.

 

Watch the recording now:

 

Investments in compassion and dignity: PHABC welcomes BC Budget 2023

Posted on March 1, 2023

PHABC’s media advisory on BC Budget 2023

"We are thrilled to see stable funding for healthy and nourishing school food" Shannon Turner, Executive Director, PHABC

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Summary

  • PHABC applauds vital investments in housing, healthcare, childcare, safety, environmental health and food security.
  • PHABC also supports the Province’s strengthened advancements towards sexual and reproductive health.
  • As the secretariat for the BC Chapter of the Coalition for Health School Food, PHABC is thrilled to see $214 million investment to expand school food programs.
  • PHABC also applauds the Province’s continued investments in advancing climate resilience, which is also a UN priority.

 

Victoria, B.C., Wednesday, March 1, 2023 –The Public Health Association of BC (PHABC) acknowledges that the BC Budget 2023 is a compassionate and dignified response to the immense public health constraints and challenges that British Columbians face.

“We welcome the vital investments in housing, healthcare, childcare, safety, environmental health and food security,” said Shannon Turner, PHABC’s Executive Director. “These are areas of great concern for British Columbians, particularly as we continue to face economic pressures from inflation and housing. We are pleased to share that these areas of interest also reflect PHABC’s core identified priorities.”

PHABC recognizes the urgent need to address and support individuals experiencing challenges regarding shelter, mental health and addictions. Moreover, the budget’s acknowledgement of fiscal concerns experienced by people living with disabilities is an important first step in creating more equitable living conditions.

“We are also highly supportive of the Province’s strengthened focus on reproductive and sexual health,” Turner highlighted. “Preventing unwanted pregnancy should not be dependent on a person’s financial circumstances; access to safe, accessible and equitable contraception is a determinant of sexual health.”

 

"We are thrilled to see stable funding for healthy and nourishing school food" Shannon Turner, Executive Director, PHABC

 

The budget also revealed $214 million over three years to expand existing school food programs and increase capacity to address student hunger.

“As the secretariat for the BC Chapter of in the Coalition for Healthy School Food, we are thrilled to see stable funding for healthy and nourishing school food,” Turner elaborated. “Healthy eating is essential for learning. Food insecurity is an urgent public health challenge, affecting 1.15 million youth in Canada.”

PHABC also applauds the Province’s continued investments in advancing climate resilience, as a healthy environment is essential for public health for all. The UN 2021 report Making Peace with Nature identified climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution as a “triple crisis” that threatens our well-being.

“The increased advancements in wildfire prevention will also ensure improvements in air quality, which is fundamental to protect human health and forestry resources,” said Turner.

PHABC’s mission is to promote health, well-being and equity for all British Columbians through leadership in public health, and we are appreciative of the budget’s clear values in enhancing public health for all.

 

Shannon Turner
Executive Director

Public Health Association of BC
exec.director@phabc.org
250-595-8422

 

 

For more information, please contact:

Selenna Ho
Communications Director
Public Health Association of BC
communications@phabc.org

 

 

PHABC wishes Angie Todd-Dennis, our Elder-in-Residence, happy 80th birthday!

Posted on February 24, 2023

Happy eightieth birthday Angie! Black and white headshot of Angie Todd-Dennis

Angie Todd-Dennis is Nak’azdli First Nation (Dene), a Carrier woman, mother, grandmother and teacher. The PHABC team wishes her an incredible 80th birthday filled with love, and community.

PHABC is honoured that Angie has served as our Elder-in-Residence for over five years. Her wisdom, insights and generosity are deeply respected and appreciated.

Angie was born into the Frog clan of the Nak’azdli of the Dene Nations. After she attended convent and residential schools, she received degrees from UBC (BEd) and University of Hawaii-Manoa (MPH).

Her career spanned decades primarily in the teaching and health fields in program development, community engagement and as an educator, bridging the gap between indigenous communities and public institutions. Angie helped to establish the UBC First Nation’s Health Care Professions program which has generated a legacy of caring by Indigenous clinicians across Canada.

At BC Women’s Health Centre and Hospital, Angie’s provincial role was to improve Indigenous women and girls’ health. Her community volunteer service has included sitting on many Vancouver boards including the Friendship Centre, Luma Native Housing, Vi Fine day Shelter and Circle of Eagles transition house. As well she was the founding president of (now) Pacific Association of First Nations’ Women and Vancouver Aboriginal Child and Family Services.

The Public Health Association of BC is grateful for her service and leadership.  Happy Birthday Angie!!