Food Security
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 HungerHunger
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
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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
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Farm Income CrisisProduct Year Producer
PortionRetail Price
Producer Share
Corn Flakes (765 g)
1975
1997
$0.07
$0.10
$0.55
$2.98
12.7%
3.4%
Bread
(675g)
1975
1998
$0.09
$0.11
$0.47
$1.31
19.1%
8.4%
Milk (1L) 1975
1998
$0.26
$0.57
$0.54
$1.42
48.1%
40.0%
Eggs (doz) 1980
1997
$0.86
$1.31
$1.15
$1.77
74.8%
74.0%
Chicken (kg) 1980
1997
$0.84
$1.14
$2.70
$4.25
34.8%
26.8%
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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 foodinsecurity?
Stage 1EfficiencyStrategies
Stage 2SubstitutionStrategies
Stage 3RedesignStrategies
Charitable food programs
Food resourceGuides 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
http://www.foodthoughtful.ca/video2.html
Workbook also on this site
Suggested Reading
Suggested Reading: DC Position Statements Individual and Household Food Insecurity in
Canada Community Food Security
www.dietitians.ca/news/highlights_positions.asp
Required Readings
Bengoa, 1997. A half-century perspective on world nutrition and international nutrition agencies.
Dwyer, 1998. Sour milk Aase, 2010. Is an overseas career
opportunity for you?
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