What is Food Insecurity?

Food insecurity is the term that’s being used to describe hunger in developed nations. This term is much broader than the pangs you feel from your stomach.

Food security is having access to food that is:

• Of a proper quality and quantity – Is there a grocery store in your area? Can you afford enough food? Can you afford healthy choices?
• Acceptable – Is it food you like? Do you have food allergies? Is the food fresh/unspoiled? Can you obtain it in a socially acceptable way? (no dumpster diving required)
• Obtained in a sustainable way – Supporting local farmers who take pride in producing safe, healthy and high-quality food in an environmentally-friendly way.

Advocacy

Canada has one of the lowest costing food baskets in the world. Making more people food secure does not mean making food cheaper. Instead, we need to advocate for other changes that will make good food affordable for all people. These changes could be:

Increasing people’s incomes

• Making minimum wage a livable wage
• Improving income supports for those unable to gain employment

Shifting how income is spent

• Increasing affordable housing
• Providing national daycare or pharmacare programs

By doing this, more people will be able to make the choice to support local food.

Click here to learn about one way YOU can advocate for safe healthy food for all.