A New Immigrant's Story

Carla needed help to feed her family when she first moved here but quickly established herself.

From an article in the Richmond News.

 

 

 

 

 

The Cost of Poverty in BC - July 2011

This report shows that the cost of ignoring poverty far outweighs the consequences and cost of not dealing with it. Those costs include health care, crime, and foregone earnings and economic activity.

 

What it Means to Grow Up Poor

A thoughful post on what it means to grow up poor.

Vancouver Foundation's Vital Signs Report 2010

Vancouver Foundation's Vital Signs report card on Metro Vancouver, now in its third year, pinpoints the strengths and weaknesses, and the opportunities and challenges faced by approximately two million people who call metro Vancouver “home”.

A representative group of 1200 were asked questions about 12 key areas of life, giving a sense of the region we are and hope to be. The resulting report is used widely as a source of talking points in community groups, schools, and political forums. (Richmond/Delta survey)

Rental Crisis Looming in Greater Vancouver

A shortage of decent and affordable rental housing means tens of thousands of households are faced with unaffordable rents or unsuitable housing that is unsafe, unhealthy or has too many people in too small a space. Too many are one paycheque away from homelessness. RentersSpeakUp is part of a broad campaign to push for senior government action to stimulate new construction of affordable rental units.

 

HungerCount 2010

The HungerCount report was released to the public on Tuesday, November 16th in Ottawa, on Parliament Hill. HungerCount 2010 shows that the number of Canadians turning to food banks increased by 9% in 2010, following an 18% increase in 2009. 867,948 Canadians were assisted by a food bank in March 2010 - 38% of those helped were children.

Understanding the Link Between Welfare Policy and the Use of Food Banks

This report examines who uses food banks in Canada and how food bank use relates to changes in government welfare policy. The report makes several recommendations to help ensure that all residents have a right to adequate and appropriate food.

Cost of Eating in BC

For an average family of four (two adults, two children) in the Lower Mainland, it costs about $796 to purchase a healthy food basket according to this Vancouver Coastal Health study.

 

Richmond's Food System Assessment

Vancouver Coastal Health is working in partnership with communities across the region to address food security issues.  Currently, there are 8 local Community Food Action Initiative committees in the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority.  The local committees include Richmond, Vancouver, North Shore, Sea-to-Sky, Sunshine Coast, Powell River, Bella Bella and Bella Coola. 

Each Committee has completed an environmental scan, a food system assessment and gap analysis and a 3-year action plan. Here is the Executive Summary.

 

British Columbia Medical Association's Healthy Kids web page

Over half of Canadian children and teens are not active enough for healthy growth and development.  But future health problems can be prevented today.

Dietitians of Canada - "Eat Well Live Well"

Dietitians of Canada is an association of food and nutrition professionals committed to the health and well-being of Canadians.