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Low-income families flot getting enough nutrition. savs coalition By STEPHANI1E THIESSEN The Champion- If you were a Milton mother of two children, with a minimumn wage job and a husband who was Out of work, grocery shopping wouldn't be an easy task. You'd fmnd yourself with just $350 left at the end of the month for basic amenities - including transportation, clothrng, heat and hydre, - by thse tomne you paid for rent and basic, nutritinus groceries. Thats according to information released by the Halton Region HealtIs Department last year. lt's a delimina that's far more common than most Halton resi- dents believe, said members of the Halton Anti-Poverty Coalition's Food Security Conintee. And it's one of the reasons famni- lies go without nutritious diets. opt- ing instead for cheaper food itemns with less nutrition. On March 20. the Food Security Commintee held a consultation at the Halton Region Museum, designed as an information session and an opportunity for the commit- tee to colleet cnmrnunity input on food security. The issue taclded was bow everyone- including low-income families - can access affordable and nutritious food 'Halton's an affluent commuai- ty, s0 many residents don't thinik there are people who cant afford food on a regular basis," said Lynn Garrison, a dietitian with the Halton Region HealtIs Department and member of thse Food Security Commintee. It's a mytIs the comsnittee is try- ing to dispel. I 200 1, food banks in Halton served an average of 1.432 faiiies each month - something the eight members of the commintee see as proof of thse huge need in Haiton for affordable food that's accessi- ble to everyone. The Fond Security Commintee was formed in 2000 and is current- ly involved in projecta including community gardens, cooking demonstrations at fond banks and trying to get a Gond Fond Box pro- gramn going in Halton. "A person gets a box of afford- able, nutritious, fresh prnduce from a local fariner," said Lynne Russell of the Gond Fond Box prograin. Ms Russell is a social planner with the Halton Social Planning Council, as well as a member of the Fond Security Commninee. "It's packed by volunteers and picked up each montb. Because it's a bulk buy, it's at a reduced price. Many of the peuple who use fond banks dnn't get fresh produce. They pay (for the fond box) at the beginning of the month when they from GROIJPS on page 7 YOUR gSefetY clecIcs g214 Wheel Alignnient MColing System Service gQuaker State Ou1, Lube Fram Oul Filters gComputer Anaiysis g TIne Ups The Canadian Champion, Tuesday, April 1, 2003-5 M j Caol t.day to bok your appointmewit to bave vour qummfr CAR REQUIREs gHidden Hitch Exhaust gTire Rotation a Blancing ~ .-4) Gna TireNTO flasmîsios &Serie RIVE g E l c t cl L E MAir Conditioning Accredited Test gShocks & Struts & Pepair Facility zuu racker qar, q4 4cyl, auto, air, tilt, cruite, p.windows, p.Iocks, au- minum wheels, roof rack #P2116 Lmsse36 moftts '365.60* Purc#usto nts '399.68 Loaded, Loadedi Power moonroof, leather, 3320A L«» e36mrnontt-a'46-1.-26 Purchse 60manta '49.BT a»s 6monu-ts 2762. potat radi nthsilvP217 * ~ Pomoeu62h»ewUmanu'369.62"", 4dr, auto, air, tilt wheel, CD, keyleoo remote OP2183 V6, auto, air, tilt, cruise, p.windows, p.locks, Bank Financing Available RICHARDSGN I CBEVRGLET-GLDSMGDIIE HWY. 25 S. AT DERRY RD., MILTON 87ik2393 -and