To make nutritious, perishable food more affordable in isolated communities, the federal government set up the Northern Air Stage Program. The program, also known as the Food Mail Program, is administered by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC). INAC provides funding to Canada Post to transport nutritious, perishable foods by air to isolated communities. This funding helps keep the cost of food down.

In February 2000, a meeting was held with Labrador retailers who were concerned about the quality of food being delivered to their communities. Food handling by wholesalers, transport companies and retailers was identified as the main problem. Following that meeting, a pilot project was devised and implemented for all communities served out of Happy Valley-Goose Bay. This is the entry point for foods shipped under the Food Mail Program in Labrador.

The findings of a report, prepared by the Air Cargo Transportation Research Group of Laval University, were used to develop training on how to properly handle perishable foods during warehousing and transportation. Since March 2001, wholesalers, trucking and airline cargo staff and retailers have all been given extensive training. The training focussed on the best conditions for storing and transporting perishable products. The training included information on proper packaging, temperature requirements, handling and separating products to prolong the shelf life of foods.

Before the pilot project began, a survey was mailed to all residents and retailers in six Labrador communities in March 2001. The survey gathered information on how satisfied both customers and retailers were with the quality and variety of perishable foods shipped to their communities. These communities included Black Tickle, Hopedale, Makkovik, Nain, Postville and Rigolet.

The key findings of the survey will help assess the impact of the guidelines developed for packaging, storage facilities, handling and sanitation and the training provided to all the above mentioned stakeholders to improve the quality of perishable foods. INAC will conduct a second survey in March of 2002 to see if food quality has improved since the first survey. This information will be used to benefit other Northern communities. Improvements will be implemented elsewhere if they are successful in Labrador.

Customers and retailers were also asked about the variety of foods offered to Northerners. Although not directly tied to the main objective of the pilot project, it is believed that the overarching goal of improving Northerners’ health can only be achieved through access to a variety of high-quality perishable foods.

When asked about the quality of various foods available, only eggs and fresh milk were rated as of good or excellent quality by a majority of Labrador customers. Most customers also described all other products, fruits, vegetables and bread as being either of poor or fair quality. On the other hand, most retailers answered that all products were either of good or excellent quality.

Customers were asked if they noticed any change in the quality of food or in prices since the previous year. Most of them replied that they believed prices had gone up. They also believed that the quality of the food had remained the same.

The customers were asked if they thought the quality of food changed with the seasons. Most customers answered that summer was the best season. Forty-one percent thought that winter was the worst season. Half the retailers said that fall was the best season. A third of them thought that summer was the worst season.

Retailers identified flight delays as the main cause of food quality problems. Other causes were also mentioned, but transportation of the food from the airport to the stores was not one of them.

Customers and retailers were asked about the availability of a variety of fresh fruit and vegetables. Eighty percent or more of Labrador customers said there was either never or sometimes enough variety available. In contrast, 80% of retailers said most of the time they had enough variety of fresh fruit and vegetables.

Customers gave five main reasons to explain why they did not buy more fresh fruit and vegetables. A majority of customers said that these foods cost too much, they often are not available, their quality is poor and there is not enough variety. Forty-one percent of customers also said that they cannot afford to buy them.

Retailers were asked how often they receive complaints from customers about the quality of food. A third of the retailers said they never received complaints. The other two thirds said they received complaints once in a while. Compared to the customers’ opinions, the retailers’ answers to this question are puzzling.

The findings have shown that there is a lack of quality and a lack of variety of fresh and frozen perishable foods in Labrador. Customers have clearly and repeatedly said that they are not satisfied with the products sold in their communities. They are also dissatisfied because they believe these products are expensive. On the other hand, the retailers seem to say that there are no serious problems with the products sold in their stores. According to them, these products are of good quality and a large variety of fresh and frozen perishable foods are made available to their customers at all times. A key finding of this report is the gap between the views of customers and retailers about food quality.

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