LACK OF GROCERY STORE AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Deschênes community explores solution
to local food needs

A community meeting November 12 was held at the community centre on Vanier to explore an innovative solution to local food needs. Dan Godin, President of the Deschênes Community Centre and The Outaouais Hunger and Social Development Concertation Table (TCFDSO) brought together individuals, community organizations and institutions to share their knowledge and develop activities to advance food security in the Outaouais region.

Deschênes is currently a food desert as they have limited access to affordable and nutritious food within walking distance.  The meeting was to present the concept of using Aquaponics in Deschênes.  Aquaponics is when fish and plants are grown together; the fish supply nutrients to the plants, which in turn purify the water.  This was the first meeting of the committee to determine the feasibility of having an Aquaponics system located within the Deschênes community.