Thought About Food? Food Security in Nova Scotia An overview of data in Nova Scotia and Antigonish County Presented by Karen MacKinnon, Public Health Nutritionist

Community Food Security  “Exists when all community residents obtain a safe, personally acceptable, nutritious diet through a sustainable local food system that maximizes healthy choices, community self- reliance, and equal access for everyone.” (Dietitians of Canada, 2007)

Why We Care  Canadian Community Health Survey Data, Statistics Canada  In Nova Scotia, 9.3% of households reported either moderate or severe income-related food insecurity in 2007/2008.  Nova Scotia Food Costing Report  22, 573 Nova Scotians accessed a food bank in March 2010 (34% increased since March 2008)

Vulnerable Groups  The CCHS data revealed the following: Lone parent households had the highest rates of food insecurity Adults protected children from food insecurity (adult food insecurity was higher than the child in 65% of households, with the reverse true in only 5% of cases). Households with children had highest rates of food insecurity

Vulnerable Groups  CCHS data revealed: Younger people and women were more likely to live in households with food insecurity We also know that seniors and First Nations communities are deeply affected by this issue!

Understanding Our Health Data for Antigonish County  Assessment of Household Food Situation over the past 12 months Participants were asked how often they “worried that food would run out before you got money to buy more.” 2.1% said often, 5.7% said sometimes (1.8%, 10.3%- Guysborough County)

Understanding Our Health Data for Antigonish County  When participants were asked how often that “you and others just couldn’t afford to eat balanced meals.”  1.1% said often, 7.0% said sometimes (2.5 %, 6.7% in Guysborough County)

Why We Care- Healthy or Hungry?  2010 Food Costing Data  Cost and Affordability of a Nutritious Diet in Nova Scotia  The average monthly cost of a basic nutritious diet for a family of four in Nova Scotia is $ this is up 35 per cent since 2002 (was $572.90).

Costs of nutritious diet* by DHA DHA 8= $ DHA 7=$ DHA 6= $ DHA 2=$ DHA 3=$ DHA 1= $798.7 DHA 9 = $ DHA 4=$ DHA 5 =$ * Based on reference family of four

Why We Care  Community- Loss of the family farm. Strong local food systems contribute to the social and cultural fabric of our communities.  Families- Can families afford Canada’s Food Guide?  Economy- Purchasing local food keeps your money flowing in your community.

Why We Care  Health- Local foods therefore are usually less processed and may have more nutrients because they are fresher.  Environment- Local food doesn’t travel as far, requires little or no packaging.

Food Security What can we do about food insecurity? Stage 1 Efficiency Strategies Stage 2 Substitution Strategies Stage 3 Redesign Strategies Charitable food programs Food resource Guides linking people to alternative Food programs Community kitchens, gardens, etc Food policy networks, coalitions, etc Kalina, 2001; Houghton, 1998; MacRae, 1994 Begin to identify ways to move across the continuum to address food insecurity

Food insecurity is a policy issue that spans multiple sectors and jurisdictions Income and social assistance policies Housing and educational supports Government food and agricultural programs Institutional food purchasing Food processing and marketing Health care and healthy living Public transportation Planning and design Minimum wage and labour supply Services to rural and remote areas And …..

It is Broke- So Let’s fix the Canadian Food System!  The data is in and it paints a pretty bleak picture – food bank usage is up, children going to school hungry, continuing loss of farmers and fishers and the resulting rural and coastal devastation, indigenous communities unable to access their traditional foods and suffering from a significantly higher incidence of diet-related diseases. There are no easy fixes, which is why the federal government must take the lead and put food in the budget.  Food Secure Canada,

Antigonish Food Security Coalition “To work towards increased food security in Antigonish County through community partnerships and a variety of processes including: leadership development, community education and supporting participation of those affected by the issue.”

Antigonish Food Security Coalition  Coalition came together because of a shared concern around the issue of Food Security  Membership is open to all interested parties.  Many community organizations within Antigonish

Projects/Initiatives  Advocacy- Minister of Community Services, Local MLA etc.  VOICES- Gardens, Community Kitchens  Promoted Local Food- Local Food Guide, Select NS events  Awareness Raising- Presentations to both councils, letters to the editor  Funding Proposals- McConnell, Goodness in Many Ways

Challenge/Opportunity  Opportunity- Huge interest in the issue like never before!  Challenge- As a coalition we are doing a lot of work with very small amounts of funding and very limited time available!

Role of Public Health Nutritionist  Support the implementation of the Nova Scotia Healthy Eating Strategy, community health plans of the CHBs and local priorities!  Four priority areas within the strategy: Food Security, Breastfeeding, Children and Youth, Vegetable and Fruit Consumption

For More Information… Nova Scotia Food Security Network Workbook: Thought About Food? Thank You