The Antigonish Coalition to End Poverty and the Food Security Association are alarmed with the new data on the growing and pervasive problem of Food Insecurity.
Food is a basic human right. Yet, the recent Canadian Income Survey shows that 6.9 million people, including 1.8 million children, in 10 provinces were food insecure in 2022, with the Atlantic provinces having the highest percentage of individuals living in food insecure households in Canada.
In Nova Scotia, 22 per cent of people find themselves in this situation.
There are many reasons why people are finding themselves with too little money to buy food – loss of employment, illness, low wages, living with a disability, and more. In response to food insecurity, with the support of our community, we established a community pantry project to help ensure people have access to food, on a daily basis.
It is a challenge to keep the pantry stocked. We see the rising level of need in the community overwhelm the extensive efforts of community organizations to help. People are hungry and suffering.
We need longer term, human-rights based solutions.
Food insecurity is directly related to inadequate income – the lower the income, the higher the chances of being food insecure. Not having access to food leads to higher rates of chronic physical and mental health conditions.
It is time to establish a guaranteed livable income in Canada.
Among many benefits including reduced public spending on healthcare, a basic income program would ensure everyone has access to nutritious food. It is time to end food insecurity – to ensure people in our beautiful community of Antigonish and in our province have enough to eat and to implement a sustainable, forward-looking solution.
If you would like more information, please visit our website at: https://endpovertyantigonish.ca.
Wyanne Sandler
Antigonish Coalition to End Poverty