Food can be a major concern for many newcomers when they arrive in Manitoba. Some may wonder whether they will have access to fresh vegetables, fruits, and other familiar produce, while others may worry about the quality and cost of food. Meanwhile, saving on monthly grocery bills while maintaining proper nutrition is a concern for everyone, whether a newcomer or not.

This is why Manitoba sponsors food and nutrition education for all. Through various programs, newcomers can receive essential food information so that they’ll know nutritious and cost-effective options. They can also develop their cooking skills and network to share nutrition information. Agencies and immigrant service provider organizations help newcomers receive all these and more.

The following are some of the free newcomer food and nutrition programs available in Winnipeg, including online resources where you can learn more about food in the prairies:

Learning about food:

1. Canada’s Food Guide – It’s a great guide to learn about recommended types of foods to eat and prepare. It also includes tips for healthy eating and free recipes to try out.
2. Home & Family – This is a website created by the Manitoba Association of Home Economists. It provides current home economics information regarding food and nutrition skills, family life, budgeting and resource management to help families live well. You can start by reading about fruits and vegetables in season in MB, Buying local food in MB, then explore Cooking with Manitoba food for recipes.
3. Immigrant Centre’s Cooking and Nutrition Classes – Participants learn about healthy eating, cooking new recipes, and preparing new snacks in this program. They’ll also learn about label reading, shopping on a budget, food safety, Canada’s Food Guide, and experience an actual shopping trip to a grocery store with a teacher. All immigrants and refugees can register to the program.
4. Welcome Place’s Life Skills Training – Aside from budgeting and nutrition, participants also learn about other essential topics required for living a good life in Manitoba. The program is open to refugees, CUAET, and temporary permit/status holders.
5. Mind your Food – This is a program that provides free cooking classes for teens, ages 13-19. It is offered seasonally. Contact Northwest Co-op Community Centre to check registration requirements. Aside from cooking classes, this organization also offers other programs related to food and nutrition, like diabetes education and support, safe food handling course, community lunches, and on-call dieticians.

Access to food:

1. Harvest Manitoba – Harvest Manitoba is the province’s largest food bank. It collects and shares 12 million pounds of healthy and nutritious food to those in need every year.
2. Community Food Resources – This is a link to an extensive list of organizations and projects in Winnipeg that provide free or low-cost hot meals, food access programs, and educational programming from the Fireweed Food Co-op.

Nutrition consultation:

Dial-a-Dietician – This is a free telephone service that allows you to consult a dietician about nutritional health, diabetes, cholesterol management, infant and child nutrition, and related matters. All Manitobans can call. The program offers interpreter services for over 200 languages.

You can also explore Community Kitchens in your area. These are composed of groups that meet regularly at a specific place in your community to cook, share stories, and enjoy a meal. Check with your local settlement service providing organization or search on 211 Manitoba.
 
Sources: Resources for newcomers and Community Food Programs, Home & Family; Canada’s Food Guide. Accessed September 13, 2024.