Food Security

Access by all people at all times to adequate, safe, nutritious food in a manner which maintains human dignity

Food Insecurity “The inability to obtain sufficient, nutritious, personally acceptable food through normal food channels or the uncertainty that one will be able to do so” (Davis & Tarasuk, 1994) Food Secure Food Insecure Without Hunger Food Insecure With Some Hunger Hunger

Food Security is linked to Social Justice. Food is a basic human right The inability to obtain sufficient, nutritious, personally acceptable food through normal food channels or the uncertainty that one will be able to do so results in food insecurity (Davis & Tarasuk, 1994) What is the biggest determinant of food insecurity? And WHY?

Income is the most important determinant of food insecurity and hunger (CCHS Cycle 1.1, 2001) Percent Is food insecurity a problem in our communities? Food Security: a significant problem

The Rich Get Richer and the Poor Get Poorer...

Food Security is linked to the Food System “…represents linkages between different sectors and aspects of life with respect to the production, processing, distribution, selection, acquisition, preparation, consumption and/or use of food.” (Tansey & Worsley, 1995)

Food Insecurity & our Food System o Farm income crisis: farmers can ’ t make a decent living o Industrial agriculture (IA) threatens environment o Oligopoly: food system is controlled by a few very big corporations Kalina, Building Food Security in Canada, 2001

Farm Income Crisis ProductYearProducer Portion Retail Price Producer Share Corn Flakes (765 g) $0.07 $0.10 $0.55 $ % 3.4% Bread (675g) $0.09 $0.11 $0.47 $ % 8.4% Milk (1L) $0.26 $0.57 $0.54 $ % 40.0% Eggs (doz) $0.86 $1.31 $1.15 $ % 74.0% Chicken (kg) $0.84 $1.14 $2.70 $ % 26.8%

The potential impact of food insecurity is significant… Health issues… Compromised nutritional health, increased risk of chronic disease, compromised management of poor health Compromised mental health Lifelong implications of child health and development Environmental issues… Current food systems and practices are unsustainable and detrimental Economic Issues… Rural communities feeling the effect – loss of farming, fishing, jobs…

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)

FOOD COSTING

U Alberta students “shopping skills and budgeting, while important, would be insufficient to alleviate food insecurity for many students who require financial aid.”  Meldrum & Willows, 2006

Diet Quality of Single Mothers (Glanville, & McIntyre, 2006) Low-Income Lone mothers diet quality 35.5% poor 64.5% in need of improvement Children’s diet quality 1-3 years – 22.7% – good 1-3 years – 74.6% -- needs improvement 4-8 years – 2.1% -- good 9-14 years – 0% -- good

Careers in Food Security Working with Family Resource Centres (CPNP) Working with Aboriginal people in Health Centres Working in low income neighbourhoods (e.g., Northend Community Health Centre) Working with housing projects (seniors, low income)

Show Interest in Food Security Join NS Food Security Network Volunteer at Food Banks Volunteer at Family Resource Centres Volunteer at Assisted Community Living Centres Write to politicians Increase awareness in your community

Video Presentation website Workbook also on this site

Suggested Reading Suggested Reading: DC Position Statements Individual and Household Food Insecurity in Canada Community Food Security

Required Readings Bengoa, A half-century perspective on world nutrition and international nutrition agencies. Dwyer, Sour milk Aase, Is an overseas career opportunity for you?