Did you know that about 60 per cent of food produced in Canada is lost or wasted? Health Canada suggests reducing, recovering and recycling as ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase the sustainability of our food system.  Food gets wasted at every step of the food system - during production, packaging, processing, wholesale and distribution, in the store, and at home. That’s why local food systems, with fewer steps between producer and consumer, can be part of the solution to reducing food waste.   Almost half of the value of Canada’s food waste - 47 per cent - occurs in the home. There are lots of ways you can reduce your household’s food waste. By following the tips listed below you can help create a healthier tomorrow.  

Interior Health has more than 4,800 volunteers across the region. These volunteers fill a variety of roles that benefit our staff, patients, clients and residents alike.

We use social media to inform you about health-care news, services and stories, and connect you to expert sources of information. We also love to engage with our community on social media and showcase our incredible health-care staff, physicians and volunteers on the front line and behind the scenes. Connect with us through our social media channels listed below: Channel Username/URL Interior Healthfacebook.com/ InteriorHealth @Interior_Healthtwitter.com /Interior_Health Interior Health Authoritylinkedin.com /company /interior-health-authority @interiorhealthbc instagram.com /interiorhealthbc Interior Health youtube.com/user /InteriorHealthAuth

Microbiology and PCR staff posing with Dr. Bonnie Henry shirts outside of the lab in front of KGH   Name: Chandra Hauer (she/her/hers)Job Title: Medical Technologist and PCR Testing Department Lead Years of Service: 10Worksite: Kelowna General Hospital Community: KelownaAncestral Territory: SyilxAdvice to live by: I just try to have a positive outlook, be happy and hopefully promote happiness around me. Chandra Hauer loves working in health care and has spent most of her career working in microbiology. “Every day is different, every specimen is different and there is never a dull moment!” she says.

A Canada goose in Kamloops has selected a fitting place to lay her eggs this spring – under the windowsill of the labour and delivery unit at Royal Inland Hospital. And her decision has brought joy to the hearts of labour and delivery staff, who are keeping close watch via a baby monitor at the nursing station. Pictured above from left to right, labour and delivery nurses Talia Ollek, Janelle Manderson and Monica Manderson showcase the monitor.

On April 14, 2016, the increasing number of opioid overdoses prompted the Province to declare a public health emergency. Six years later, close to 1,500 family members, friends, coworkers, teammates, neighbours and friends have been lost to overdose within the Interior Health (IH) region alone. Inspired by the International Black Balloon Day, on April 14 IH’s mental health and substance use teams and community partners will display black balloons in recognition of this sombre anniversary.

Name: Patti Ironstand (she/her/hers)Job Title: Registered Psychiatric NurseYears of Service: 11Worksite: Gillis HouseCommunity: MerrittAncestral Territory: Nlaka’pamux and Syilx NationsAdvice to live by: Give to people what you would like to receive. Patti Ironstand is an Aboriginal woman, originally from North Battleford, Sask., who has worked in health care since 1985, including 11 years with Interior Health. Patti has always worked with seniors, going so far as to call it her passion.  “I love working with seniors – they are the Knowledge Keepers.”

Like many people who use drugs, Faith turned to illicit opioids to take away pain and hurt. When she realized she wanted to stop using, Opioid Agonist Treatment, or OAT, was key. 

Our family was recently impacted by an emergency, and an aging relative was hospitalized. With ongoing restrictions due to COVID, there were limitations to in-person visits and some family members involved in care live afar. After the acute event was over and our aging loved one was back home, I reflected on how much of our communication and caregiving was done virtually – texting, email, videoconference, apps to feel closer to each other, online booking for transportation and apps designed to help coordinate tasks and scheduling. Using technology-based interventions and other digital applications is increasingly becoming a viable option to support family caregivers both in their role as a caregiver and for their own well-being.