Food Security Issues in a Public Health Context

Kay Wong, our community nutritionist, has forwarded two excellent papers from the National Collaborating Centre for Determinants of Health pertaining to food security within the public health context. (Synthesis Paper) (Literature Review)

Transitional strategies in Richmond include pocket markets (improving access) and community kitchens and community gardens (building individual and community social capital and capacity) - as well as providing alternatives to the social stigma associated with food banks.

Cost of Eating in BC, 2007

Dietitians of Canada, BC Region in partnership with the Community Nutritionists Council of BC produced this 2007 report to demonstrate that some groups within our population are denied the right to safe and nutritious food due to limited financial resources.  In the report, BC dietitians call for practical and achievable solutions to poverty – to establish its reduction as an important policy goal, to base income assistance rates on actual costs of shelter, food and other necessities, to increase minimum wage and to adequately support social housing and food security initiatives.

 

Vancouver Foundation's Vital Signs Report: Taking the pulse of a region

For the second year in a row, the Vancouver Foundation has released the Vital Signs report, a ‘check up’ of Metro Vancouver. This year’s report reveals that while Metro Vancouver remains a desirable place to live, many of us continue to face challenges that can impact our health.

For example, one of the key indicators was food security. Feeding a family of four on income assistance in B.C. requires 41 percent of household income. A family of four with an average income of $51,000 requires just 15 percent of household income to buy the same items.

For more, please see Page 11 of the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority's Continuum Newsletter. (Adobe Reader required; link is on the left.)

The CAFB's HUNGER COUNT 2007 - 8 November 2007

The HungerCount 2007 report has been released by the Canadian Association of Food Banks (CAFB). The report calls for the development of integrated and flexible policies that support more secure incomes, and that increase the ability of Canadians to provide basic needs for themselves and their families.

Here is Dave Murray's summary for BC.

 

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. Please see Richmond's Executive Summary and Full Report.

 

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.