Root Cellar Food and Wellness Hub is hosting food banks from across Alberta for the Feeding the Future conference.

By Eli J. Ridder

Root Cellar hosting food banks conference, premier to speak

Jun 25, 2024 | 11:33 AM

The Root Cellar Food and Wellness Hub hopes to share its unique approach to food security and learn from Alberta counterparts as it hosts an annual provincial food banks conference Tuesday and Wednesday.

Under a “Feeding the Future” theme, food bank executives will participate in workshops, socialize and even hear from Premier Danielle Smith as they face the challenges of growing food insecurity.

“Food bank usage is increasing every year, so we have to do a lot more with a lot less,” said Shawna Bissell, executive director of Food Banks Alberta.

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Shawna Bissell speaks to CHAT News as the conference gets underway. Kevin Kyle/CHAT News

“It’s great for these food banks to come together and talk to each other.”

Bissell said beyond information-sharing, it allows those who work in food banks to support each other.

“It’s a tough economy, it’s really hard work food-banking,” Bissell said.

Root Cellar executive director Melissa Mullins said the food banks will have an opportunity to have the ear of the premier, who is attending in-person on Tuesday.

“It is so important for us to be hosting this conference but also for the community to be surrounding us,” Mullins told CHAT News.

“So not only having our premier there so we can directly talk to her…lots of local people have really surrounded this conference.”

It will be a busy two days, Mullins said.

“We’re really excited to collaborate and share our ideas and also learn from other people as well.”