Sustain Ontario’s Food Literacy Working Group submitted a Proposal to the Ministry of Education in July 2023 outlining recommendations for the government to further advance food literacy in Ontario. We await a reply from the Ministry of Education.

Meanwhile, OHEA members can now read the Proposal as posted on the Sustain Ontario site here.

We were proud to represent OHEA as one of 29 organizations involved and thrilled to work closely with like-minded professionals  across the province.

At the AGM celebrating the 90th anniversary of the Ottawa Home Economics Association (OttawaHEA) June 2023 a decision was made to establish the Ottawa Home Economics Association Fund within the Ottawa Community Foundation (OCF).  The goal of the fund is to establish a legacy in support of the goals of home economics to improve the quality of life for families and individuals.  The inaugural focus of the Fund will be support for: 

- Pre-natal and infant programs with a strong nutrition component
- Organizations providing nutritious food to at-risk populations

The initial donation of $7,000 was the result of initiatives and projects undertaken by members of OttawaHEA over many years  This amount is not yet sufficient to generate annual grants to finance stand-alone programs.  On an annual basis the OCF will consult with OttawaHEA through the Fund Advisor (currently Ellie Topp, P.H.Ec., OttawaHEA Treasurer) regarding joining with grants from other Funds to support existing programs in line with home economics goals.  A report on the Fund will be included in the annual report of OttawaHEA.

At any time people are invited to make a donation to the Fund simply by visiting Ottawa Community Foundation. Click on ‘Donate to a Fund', then ‘Donate Online' and type in Ottawa Home Economics Association Fund where you may choose to donate either to the investment part of the Fund or directly to the grant portion which ensures that your donation will go directly to the annual project chosen for support. Charitable tax receipts will be issued for individual donations. Members are encouraged to invite friends to donate to help build our new Fund.  

OttawaHEA is excited to launch this initiative and to know that its funds are being used to support home economics related projects within our city.  

​It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. Margaret Arcus, Professor Emerita of the School of Family and Nutritional Sciences, on June 27, 2023. Margaret was born on April 30, 1935 in Auburn, Nebraska, U.S., and completed her PhD in Home Economics Education from Iowa State University.

​Despite only 4 days’ notice, 10 members of the Ottawa HEA were enthusiastic attendees of our first Bring your Own Picnic at the historic Maplelawn Garden, on August 17, 2023. 

Maplelawn is the beautiful walled garden of one of Ottawa’s earliest surviving stone houses.  It has been maintained by volunteers for 30 years, and was in full mid-summer bloom.  We strolled the garden paths, caught up on personal news, and enjoyed lunch on picnic tables under the shade trees.

Cathy Enright, P.H.Ec. brought extra treats to share:  drinks, marinated vegetables and cookies!  The consensus seemed to be that we should do it again next summer.  

It is with sadness we announce the passing of Joan Marilyn Allen-Peters, age 90, of Kentville, NS formerly of Amherst, NS. Joan passed away at the Evergreen Home in Kentville, NS on Tuesday, December 13, 2022.

Born in Amherst, NS, she was the daughter of the late Kenneth Patterson and Dora (Jones) Allen.

Joan attended Amherst Regional High School then Acadia University where she graduated in 1953 with a B.Sc with honors. After receiving a Masters degree in science from Penn State in 1955 she worked as a nutritionist at University of Delaware, was an instructor of home economics at the University of Hawaii and served as a home economics advisor for Iroquois Gas in Buffalo, NY before eventually settling in Durham, New Hampshire where she worked as a professor of home economics at UNH. During this time Joan was involved as an editor and host of several television programs at WENH in Durham where she received many accolades and awards for her service and programs in TV. In 1967-8 Joan took time out to work at Queen Elizabeth College in London, UK before returning to UNH.

In 1970 Joan took a job with the United Nations Development Program and worked at an agricultural college in the Philippines until 1972 when she returned to New Hampshire.

In 1979 Joan worked for the Caribbean Food and Nutrition Institute and was stationed in Kingston, Jamaica where she was nutrition educator and coordinator for much of the West Indies until 1982 when she returned to Nova Scotia briefly before taking an education post at Bath College of Higher Education, Bath, UK in 1983. During this time she travelled extensively and lived in Geneva, Switzerland and Sri Lanka for a spell.

In 1987 Joan returned to Nova Scotia once again and became a professor of Home Economics at Acadia University, her Alma Mater, until her retirement and she remained active in the Wolfville community.

In her later years, Joan lived at Wickwire Place then finally in assisted living at Evergreen Home in Kentville, Nova Scotia.

She is survived by son Karl Peters, brother Deane Allen, sister-in-law, Nancy Allen, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was predeceased by her mother Dora, father Kenneth and brother David Allen.

Arrangements are under the care and guidance of Jones Family Funeral Centre, 70 Church Street, Amherst, NS, (902 667 8777). A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, May 12th, 2023 at 2pm at the First Baptist Church. Livestream will be available through the church website at Funeral Service for Joan Allen Peters - YouTube.

Donations in memory of Joan may be made to a charity of your choice.

Sharing of memories and condolences may be sent to the family by visiting online memorial at www.jonesfamilyfuneralcentre.ca or through the Jones Family Funeral Centre Facebook Page.

Original obituary from Jones Family Funeral Centre.

In July, 1976, the Ottawa Home Economics Association (Ottawa HEA) along with the Canadian Home Economics Association (CHEA) hosted the Xlllth  International Congress of Home Economics and the Council meetings. It was the first and only time to-date that Canada hosted the event. 

Held at the then-new Skyline Hotel, the theme would still apply today — Life, not just Survival: Home Economics and the Utilization of the World’s Resources.  Linda Reasbeck, P.H.Ec., listed in the Congress Program by her maiden name, Linda Stepenoff, chaired the Organizing Committee. “What an incredible undertaking,” she recalled.

At the 90th Anniversary Luncheon of the Ottawa HEA on June 6, 2023, held at the Britannia Yacht Club, Linda reflected on memories and precious keepsakes from the 1976 Congress.  

With 1200 delegates from 52 different countries and proceedings available in English, French and German, it was a major project to organize.
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Approximately 50 Home Economists worked on various committees to coordinate essential activities. With the support of mentors such as Margaret Pope and Ruth Shaver, the relatively young, enthusiastic Home Economists did an outstanding job. 

Given a budget of approximately a quarter of a million dollars (considerable for 1976) we exceeded the IFHE’s Executives’ expectations and were one of the first Congress hosts to stay within budget and return approximately $40,000 to the IFHE. 

Most of our members hosted 5 to 10 delegates in their homes for dinner to provide a taste of Canadian hospitality.  With military precision, Margaret Ripley organized the feat of grouping individuals from different countries and coordinating transportation to members’ homes.

Miss Isabel Horne of Australia, President of IFHE at the time, was wonderful to work with and as hosts we were determined to prove that we from “the colonies” were capable of meeting and surpassing expectations of the European and American delegates.

Many of us were young professionals at the time. Teamwork initiated friendships and appreciation of one another’s professionalism and skills. 
Many of us remain very active in the Ottawa Home Economics Association to this day.  Forty-seven years later.”

On display at the 90th Anniversary celebrations, Linda had memorabilia from the event including a handful of the registrations with fascinating postage stamps from around the world. Clearly, 1976was an era well-before online registration.

Many thanks to Linda for sharing memories of this special event in the history of Ottawa HEA, making the 90th Year Celebrations even more special.

In addition to chairing the AGM and 90th Year celebrations on June 6th, Elizabeth Lee, P.H.Ec. created an amazing timeline featuring highlights of Ottawa HEA events from 1932 to 2023. She researched minutes to capture the most fascinating details for the 80th year celebration and updated the paper history with the last 10 years for our 90th year.  
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A few highlights that Elizabeth recalls:
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• We had more than 250 members in the 1970's, when there were Home Economists working in the federal government, at Agriculture Canada, Health and Welfare and Fisheries, ODA County Home Economists, many Home Ec. teachers in High schools and middle schools, staff at University of Ottawa and Kemptville College, and one at Ottawa Gas.  (I think the Dietitians had their own group by then)
• Even though we haven't had a president for more than 20 years, we had 8 former presidents in attendance at the 90th anniversary and received messages from 3 more who could not attend.
• Over the years, we've had some interesting projects - the warship in WW2, Dial-a-Dietitian as a Centennial project, fashion shows, bridge parties, rummage sales, hosting the IFHE Congress in 1976 and in more recent years, offering student Awards at Brescia and Ryerson (now Toronto Metropolitan University) and several years of hat making for local charities.
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Ottawa HEA members are forever grateful to Elizabeth for her many contributions to Ottawa HEA and for creating this remarkable and tangible history.

BRIDGMAN, YVONNE LOIS (nee BATEMAN) December 22, 1930 - June 6, 2023 It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our loving mother and grandmother. Yvonne was born on December 22, 1930, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and passed away on June 6, 2023, at Simcoe Hospice in Barrie, Ontario, Canada. Predeceased by her parents, Gordon and Mayme Bateman; and her sister, Ira-Jane Wilton. She is also reunited with her life partner, Jim Feather. Loving mother of Wendy (Paul) and Shelley (Steve); devoted grandmother to Coleman (Ashley), Robin (Rory) and Carley; and fondly remembered by Jim's children and grandchildren. 

A woman of many accomplishments, Yvonne graduated from the University of Toronto in Household Sciences and began her career with Enbridge, creating recipes in their test kitchen. A holiday to England instigated a career change, where she was instrumental in assisting with the launch of the family wholesale giftware business. At the age of 42, she attended Seneca College to brush up on her business and computer skills. Continuing her love of the giftware industry, Yvonne was involved in the creation of the Canadian Gift and Tableware Association (now called CanGift), and served as President for eighteen years until her retirement in 1996.

Yvonne also enjoyed curling and lawn bowling, being a member of the Thornhill Golf and Country Club and the Willowdale Lawn Bowling Club. She also served as the President of the Ontario Lawn Bowling Association for many years. She enjoyed nothing more than a good game of bridge, and was also a voracious reader and could almost always be found with a book in her hand, right up to her final days. For all of her accomplishments, the high- light of her life was her grandchildren. She was an active audience member for soccer games, dance recitals and at horse stables. Her joy was watching her grandchildren grow, and her love will stay with them.

​Visitation will take place at the Steckley-Gooderham Funeral Home, 30 Worsley St., Barrie, on Sunday, June 11, 2023, from 2:00 - 4:00 and 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. A private interment will take place at the Queensville Cemetery, 20778 Leslie St., Queensville. Donations in Yvonne's memory may be made to either the Barrie Food Bank or Hospice Simcoe, and are greatly appreciated by the family. Online condolences and memories may be left at: www.steckleygooderham.com.

Obituary originally posted at The Toronto Star Obituaries.

Dear Members:

It is my pleasure to write to you after a successful 2023 OHEA Annual Meeting.  At the meeting, there were several OHEA Past Presidents present, and a couple of people who attended their their first Annual Meeting,

Then, reports were given, there was discussion about member engagement and elections were carried out. 

After the elections, Jason Eaton, Cailin Whincop, Allison Teich, Cathy Enright, Roula Hawa, Mary Carver, and myself, Camille Naranjit remain on the OHEA Board of Directors to serve you.

I am giving a warm welcome to Linda Robbins, our newly acclaimed secretary-treasurer.  She brings forth a wealth of experience from her past involvement with CHEA.  We look forward to working with her in her term to come.

On a sadder note after serving OHEA well, we say goodbye to Brooke McLean, Taylor Page, Ranuri Kandumulla, and Shelby Weaver, and thank them for their dedication and service to our association.

At present, the branch representatives (except Ottawa Branch as Mary has decided to stay on) and the student liaison will be appointed and notify us prior to starting up again in September. 

At present there are still vacancies (VP Communications, VP Social media, 1 VP Public Policy, VP Professional Development, 1 Member-at-Large) and we are looking to appoint members in good standing. Please, if you have a slight interest in stepping up in volunteering with a project or joining our Board of Directors, we would love to hear from you.  Also, if you can think of a colleague who is a member of OHEA who may be interested, please invite the member to contact us. We will give you information with no strings attached.  

Simply email Eileen for more information at EileenOHEA@outlook.com.

Have a wonderful summer.
Camille Naranjit
President, OHEA

At the Ottawa Home Economics Association (Ottawa HEA) 90th Anniversary Celebrations held on June 6 , 2023, Home Economist Elizabeth Larmond Elliot presented a ‘revisited’ talk she had given in 1967 forecasting what Canadian would be eating in Year 2000. 

Elizabeth Larmond Elliot is former Director of Industry Services at the Canadian Gain Commission, in Winnipeg, Manitoba.  Retiring in 1999, Elizabeth has lived in Ottawa for several years where she stays active in several groups including Ottawa HEA.

Originally, Elizabeth’s talk projected 33 years into the future, but she clearly updated it for this occasion and compared — Then and Now.

Elizabeth took all 31 members in attendance for the Ottawa HEA celebration down memory lane in her review of Canadians’ eating habits over several decades.

Canadians basically went from a meat and potatoes diet in the mid-60’s where beef was the primary protein to an era where chicken ruled often served with rice or pasta instead of potatoes. Canned foods have been replaced by fresh fruits and vegetables.

Some promising developments of the 60’s such as food irradiation have been rejected by consumers while others, plant-based protein, for example, have been accepted. One unexpected development is ultra-high processed foods which are high in sodium, sugars and saturated fats.   “In the end, consumers rule”, explained Elizabeth.

Trends were influenced when more women entered the workforce. The percentage of women working outside the home rose from 37 in 1964 to 82.8% this year. There was a new availability and taste for global flavours.  International tastes increased as travel increased in the past 50 years and the Internet has influenced both eating and spending habits.

Quoting Dr. Malek Batal, Professor & Research Chair Human Nutrition, University of Montreal, Elizabeth explained, “A more diverse population, changing health trends and a globalized food chain have changed Canadians' palate in ways unimaginable in the '60s. When you look at demographic changes, economic changes, trade changes and health messages, you understand food changes." CBC News — 2018.
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A special thank you to Elizabeth Larmond Elliot for sharing her knowledge and insight as she helped to make the 90th Anniversary celebrations even more special.