Starting today, American booze will be back on NLC shelves with the net profit to be donated to the Community Food Sharing Association.
Approximately $3.2 million worth of product was hauled from NLC store shelves in February in response to punishing tariffs and economic threats made against Canada by U.S. President Donald Trump.
The province yesterday provided $500,000 to the Community Food Sharing Association and another donation of up to $1 million will be made pending the sale of product.
Minister responsible for the NLC, Craig Pardy, says just because the American product is being put back on the shelves doesn’t mean the push to buy local will stop.
Minister Craig Pardy (VOCM News)
He says they will still promote buying local. That said, he believes the timing was right to supply the Community Food Sharing Association with funds to help meet the need they are facing.
The Opposition says it’s pleased that government has committed to donate up to $1 million from the sale of American alcohol products to the Community Food Sharing Association.
Liberal Leader John Hogan calls it a “great first step” in redirecting the $3.2 million dollars worth of U.S. inventory stored by NLC.
He’s encouraging the finance minister to donate the remaining $2.2 million to other local charities like the Salvation Army Kettle Campaign and MADD.
The Chair of the Board at the Community Food Sharing Association, Reverend Fred Marshall, calls it an “amazing gift.”
“For every $10 that we receive as a cash donation, we’re able to turn that into $205 worth of food to a food bank. So, you can just imagine now, what $500,000 (can do) – that’s just incredible.”
