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PAULATUK
Anny Illasiak can hardly wait for the Paulatuk Community Kitchen to open its doors each week, but the 73-year-old elder said her nine children, 28 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren might just look forward to it even more.

Anny Illasiak plays Nutrition North bingo as part of the Paulatuk Community Kitchen Program. The 73 year old says she appreciates the social aspect, as well as the extra helping hands, the program provides. - photo courtesy of Kathryn Boyd

"They love what I cook," she said.

Since the kitchen program started in the fall of 2010, its number of participants - and its budget - has grown.

Kathryn Boyd, who helps co-ordinate the program, said improvements to the Nutrition North program and the enthusiasm of local residents can both be credited with the kitchen's success.

"It was kind of a little idea that grew and grew," she said.

"Initially I thought it would be a group to support women who have families, and then some men, some male elders, showed up and said, 'We're part of the community! We want to join in.' And I said, 'Of course, you're absolutely right.'"

The Paulatuk Community Kitchen program first started with funding from Arctic North, which was seeking grassroots initiatives that helped support food security and wellness.

Once it was clear how popular the community kitchen was, other partners, such as the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, the Canadian Prenatal Nutrition Program, the Paulatuk Community Corporation and Nutrition North, came on board.

"The idea was that food went home to feed families," Boyd said.

Now, every Friday, or sometimes Thursday, between eight and 10 community members meet at the Paulatuk Community Corporation building.

They start the afternoon with a healthy snack and a presentation or informal discussion on a wellness topic, and then get cooking.

The meals, which range from lasagna and shepherd's pie to cabbage roll casserole and homemade Shake and Bake chicken, are enough to feed the participants families that evening.

One unexpected result of the Paulatuk Community Kitchen program is that its budget, which was based on the price of food and freight when it first started, can stretch even further now.

"It's dramatic," Boyd said. "We're able to get a whole lot more for the same amount."

Since the changes to Nutrition North's subsidies this year, she said they can spend approximately $300 per week more on food because freight costs have all but disappeared.

Nutrition North is also the main funder of the program, as the kitchen has an education component and promotes healthy foods.

The highlight for Boyd is spending time with the group, which is mostly female elders but also men and teenagers, too.

"It's the fun of preparing it together and taking it home," she said.

"I really enjoy spending the time with the women. As you're cooking stories come up. People share stories and lots of laughter."

Illasiak said she appreciates the help from extra hands in the kitchen, but also just loves getting out of the house and cooking up a storm.

"You're learning a little bit more, anyway. It's a good program," she said.

"Some of us, we don't have money when the time comes. When you have grandchildren it really helps when you share with them when you come home."

Boyd said in the future she hopes one of the participants in the program can take on the task of running the community kitchen.

As for Illasiak, she said she isn't planning on passing up the free meal anytime soon.

"Gee, I won't quit!" she said.

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