The valuable Good Food Box, delivered monthly to families in need, is now joined by locally-sourced fish, new recipes and instructional videos. (Facebook/Ulhtun)

By Spencer Sterritt

eating well

Fish, traditional Indigenous recipes added to valuable Good Food Box program

Feb 14, 2021 | 7:50 AM

NANAIMO — A valuable program providing weekly food deliveries to those in need now comes with more.

The Good Food Box, distributed by Nanaimo Foodshare with many community partners, now includes 250 bags per month of fresh fish, traditional Indigenous recipes and instructional videos for those who struggle in the kitchen.

The additional program, called Ulhtun meaning “to eat” in the Hulquiminum language, is run by Nanaimo Community Kitchens and the Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre.

Heidi Sinclair, executive director of Nanaimo Community Kitchens, told NanaimoNewsNOW providing videos and something new will help boost nutritional literacy, which in turn helps families grow in healthy ways.

“Often people don’t have basic cooking skills and they’re wanting to acquire more.”

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The program is funded through the United Way with COVID-19 relief money. Sinclair said providing more meal options is ideal for families learning to live and thrive during the pandemic.

“There has been an increasing interest in local food and healthy eating since the pandemic began. During the lockdown more people were looking at nutrition as an activity to do with their family when they were home more.”

The Ulhtun program runs for six months, with four months having already been delivered.

Joel Harry with the Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre said the first months of the program brought fresh salmon, halibut and prawns to the table. The February delivery will include tuna.

“We’re trying to bring traditional foods back into peoples kitchens,” Harry said. “Some people don’t have the means or even try to get their hands on things like traditional foods. It engages with the community as well.”

Both Harry and Sinclair said they hope to see the program continue when the six months of funding expires.

spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @SpencerSterritt