1. Food Security and Cultural Connectedness Presented by: Kristen McLeod and Lana Johnston

2. What is Food Security and Sustainability?  Food security defined by Anderson (1990) is “access by all people at all times to enough food for an active, healthy life”  Sustainable food systems - are those in which “diverse foods are produced in close proximity to a market” (Stroink and Nelson)  When foods are unavailable or a person’s ability to acquire food is limited, then food insecurity exists.

3. Where Do We Get Our Food?  The Green Revolution: the change of agricultural systems  Based from local sales and trades and more organic products  Today’s systems are highly industrialized and large commercial enterprises  Diets depend highly upon the global food system  People who rely on the modern system generally feel quite secure about this global food system as a source of food (Stroink and Nelson)

4. Feasibility of a Global System But Is It Feasible?  Susceptible to changes in market fluctuations  Unhealthy and contaminated foods  More environmental degradation destabilizing local ecosystems effecting crops, soil salinity, soil and water quality and biodiversity.

5. Cultural Connectedness and Food  This Green Revolution is causing a greater divide between food and cultural connectedness.  Many people no longer practice traditional methods (hunt, gather, fish and trap) to obtain food  The skills and knowledge of traditional ways are diminishing (Stroink and Nelson)  A study by Stroink and Nelson showed convenience and price were more significant than buying local and cultural connectedness of the food

6. Rural and Aboriginal Food Security  Distance from market causing high transportation costs drives food prices up for rural communities.  Food is often expensive and of low nutritional value.  Aboriginal seniors becoming food insecure from low incomes, poor health, high cost of food and limited selection in rural areas (Quandt et al)  Assistance programs distributed unequally (Quandt et al)

7. Overcoming Food Insecurity- Resiliency  Resiliency - a system’s ability to adapt and respond to external impacts on a system (King)  Strengthen traditional knowledge of local food availability (ex. The Learning Garden Program)  Alternative and more sustainable options or alternative agri-ecological systems such as:  Organic Agriculture, Permaculture, Biodynamics, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), Farmer’s Markets and Community Gardens