Food insecurity is defined as the inadequate or insecure access to food due to the lack of income. The underlying problem of food insecurity is poverty. Poverty is a major intersection in which food, housing, physical and mental health, and social well-being intersect.
PROOF Toronto’s most recent report, 2021 Household Food Insecurity in Canada, revealed that the province of Alberta has the highest prevalence of food insecurity in Canada affecting 20.3% of Albertans, who do not have consistent access to nutritious food. It can affect your neighbours, friends, co-workers, and even family members. Food insecurity impacts individuals across all age groups. As stated by PROOF Toronto, “food insecurity is a serious public health problem and has serious implications for people’s physical & mental health beyond just poor nutrition and diet”.
MCHB created the Food Dignity Program which features a dynamic suite of food security strategies: Feed, Grow, Innovate, Advocate. Our approach reframes food as not just an issue of scarcity and a basic need for survival. We use food as an anchor to engage the cultural wealth and aspirations of racialized communities and as an opportunity for socio-economic inclusion and wellbeing. We understand and honor the role food plays in our wellbeing, sense of self and dignity, connection to culture and to others.
Click below to learn more about each of our food security initiatives !
We would like to acknowledge the generosity of our Partners and Funders:
MFRS – Multicultural Family Resource Society
