WEEK 4: FOOD AND HUNGER Flashcards
What is food security?
where all people at all time have physical, social, economic access to sufficient and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life
What are the 2 main dimensions of food security?
- ability of individuals to reliably access food
2. production and supply of food
What is food insecurity?
the inadequate or insecure access to food due to financial constraints with serious consequences for physical, mental, social health
Key parts of food security and health
- poor self rated health, mental/physical/dental health
- chronic conditions
- impaired fetal growth and birth defects
- hospitalization
- iron deficiency
- asthma
- developmental/behavioural problems
Groups most likely to experience food insecurity
- social assistance, workers comp, EI
- indigenous off-reserve
- black
- those who do not own their home
- immigrants < 5 years
- those with children
- single mothers
Groups least likely to experience food insecurity
- those with seniors’ pensions or dividends and interest
- Old Age Security and Guaranteed Income Supplement at age 65 has reduced rate in half
Key parts of Indigenous and food insecurity
- consistently high rates
- 25% of off-reserve households
- 40-83% in remote Indigenous communities
- Nunavut = highest rate for Indigenous population
Example of an effective response for food insecurity
- increased income
- secure and sufficient employment
Key parts of COVID-19 and food insecurity
- increasing numbers of undernourished and food insecure individuals
Key parts of COVID-19 and food production
- decreased demand/supply
- high prices of agri. inputs
- closure of factory making fertilizer
- labour issues (seasonal too)
- seed shortages
- availability of pesticides
Key parts of COVID-19 and food demand
- loss of income –> unable to afford food
- vulnerable groups at risk
- increase in food prices
- no demand for “outside food”
Key parts of COVID-19 and food processing
- disruptions in industries
- social distancing, sickness, lockdown
- labour shortages
How to safeguard food security
- provide small farms with seeds, agri. inputs, animal health support
- in communities - distribute seeds, home gardening kits, food storage, poultry and small stock
- support purchasing power through injections of cash
- scale up social protection systems
