The joys of teaching in Northern Ontario #2

My class is currently working on a "Symbolic Self Portrait" of themselves to answer questions relating to their goals, fears, journey and who they really are. I have shown them a few examples and they mainly finished their rough copy today in preparation for their good copy. While working on their rough copies, one of my students turned to me and asked what my favorite chips are .. "Sweet Chili Heat" I responded. Then he asked me my favorite pop .. "Diet Coke" I said. Someone else yelled out "But, Miss diet pop is bad for you!" Yes, yes all pop is bad. Then they all shouted out other questions. What really occurred to me was their specific questions being related to pop and chips. The cost of food up here is expensive and has a fast expire date. I bought three packs of blackberries at No Frills a few days ago and they are beginning to get moldy. I have learned to love frozen fruit! :)  Fruit does not last long here! Also all produce is  more expensive than anything else. If you Google "Cost of food issues" many articles will appear. I say it is expensive however I am comparing the cost of food to Southern Ontario prices. The real issue around cost of food is in Northern Ontario (yes, more North than I). The people up there order food to be delivered by flight. A few of my friends work at the airport and they have told me that a brick of cheese can be $25.... The First Nations people living there pay a lot for groceries to be delivered and for the groceries themselves. A contentious issue for sure!







May I emphasize, that the nearest No Frills to buy our food is an hour away in the town called Geraldton. The only store in town is called the Northern Store that has only a few aisles of food. Luckily, they have some fresh produce for when the roads are bad or when you need something in a hurry.

You can see I live in Nakina and we drive to Geraldton for groceries. Wondering were the nearest Starbucks or mall is? ... Thunder Bay.

Learn more about this concern by reading these links below:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/some-thunder-bay-families-struggling-to-afford-healthy-food-1.2929335

http://www.naho.ca/jah/english/jah08_02/08_02_food-security.pdf

http://www.thestar.com/life/food_wine/2012/02/23/northern_reserve_goes_bananas_for_fresh_produce_from_ontario_food_terminal.html