The Neepawa Eats Healthy Committee was struck about two years ago to promote healthy eating in the Neepawa area. Members include representatives from the municipality, food bank, the education and business sectors, and the regional health authority, as well as unaffiliated community members. They share a goal to engage the community and increase awareness on topics such as the role food plays in health and wellbeing.

The emergence of COVID-19 shortly after the committee formed limited what they were able to accomplish initially, but they still managed to launch projects such as the Snack Attack series of hybrid Zoom/in-person food preparation classes for kids, a community-wide logo design contest, and outreach at the local farmer’s market.

This season, the Neepawa Eats Healthy Committee wants us to know how sharing foods and meals is a fundamental part of many holiday traditions from many cultures. In fact, they want us to share even more: the committee is holding a Family Favourite Recipes contest through their social media channels until December 20th and wants people to not just submit recipes but share video clips of families or other social groups preparing meals together.

The goal of the contest is twofold. The committee thought it was important to celebrate the diversity in our community and bring awareness to the importance of food celebrations, but also to celebrate the role food plays in strengthening bonds within family and community. The idea of wellness through food encompasses not only bodily health but also mental health, which those social connections are an important part of for many people.