JSC would like to thank Peel Region Health Services Secretary Nancy for this excellent article that explains how nutrition is at the heart of many Peel Region programs and a necessary investment in building communities for life.・I would like to express my gratitude to Polsinelli.
As March, recognized as Nutrition Month, comes to an end, I’ve been reflecting on how this important quality of life component has impacted my career. I started as a registered dietitian, but this profession led me into the health field, first as a consultant and then as an in-house dietitian for William Osler Health System. I then joined Peel Region as a manager and director of a municipal long-term care facility and then became Director of Health Services.
While we don’t necessarily associate nutrition as a core function of municipal government, Peel Region programs support nutrition at every stage of life. For example, public health programs support the nutritional needs of mothers and infants and inform school programs that strengthen children’s understanding of nutrition and healthy lifestyles. Five municipal nonprofit long-term care homes and adult day programs provide nutritious meals to seniors. Now, we are incorporating meal preparation and sharing as bonding activities in our emotionally centered approach to care.
Peel Region is also dealing with dramatically increased food insecurity in the current affordability crisis. Dietitians from Peel Public Health’s Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention Team monitor food insecurity and inform community responses. They are an important source of knowledge in partnership with Peel Regional Health Services, human services and community organizations such as Peel Poverty Reduction Commission and Peel Food Action Council.
In response to the dramatic increase in food bank usage, Peel Regional Council has invested in the Food Security Capital and Innovation Fund. In partnership with community partners, the $4 million investment will fund the delivery of 3.9 million pounds of food to 17 food providers in 2023. There is still work to be done when it comes to food security, but this investment in trucks, freezers and other infrastructure has been a long time coming. – Long-term benefits, such as the ability to distribute more fresh and frozen food.
Nutrition is an investment that supports health, growth and mental health, and is at the heart of our commitment to building communities of life in Peel Region.
Sincerely,
Nancy Polsinelli, RD HBSc MPA
Commissioner of Peel Regional Health Services
