Fit To Eat S2E39 Ray Solotki Part 2 by Ivan Emke

How often do communities try to recruit new residents, professionals and otherwise, by talking about sports or recreation or civic infrastructure or how close it is to an airport (so you can escape). But rarely, do they talk about local food access. In these days of climate challenge and supply chain weakening, maybe expecting to continue to survive at the end of the food chain is a bit naïve? Maybe we need to tighten our suspenders and start growing more locally and then re-print those community-boosting brochures.

One of the themes of today’s show is the need for local food infrastructure, not just to feed ourselves, but also to attract and keep people in a region. This is especially important in remote areas that experience regular food insecurity. While our guest is generally speaking of her experience in the Northwest Territories, these are issues that communities in Newfoundland and Labrador struggle with as well.

Today we chat with Ray Solotki, from her home in Inuvik, Northwest Territories. We’ll be talking about the complications and delights, and sometimes politics, of feeding people in the North.