1. Thought About Food? Food Security in Nova Scotia Colleen Cameron accamero@stfx.ca Christine Johnson cjohnson@stfx.ca

2. Presentation Objectives  To increase understanding of food security and its determinants  To demonstrate how this is everyone’s issue  To identify how we can address food insecurity  Provide a snapshot of what is happening in the province

3. Food Security  What is Food Security?  … when all people, at all times, have access to sufficient, nutritious, safe, personally acceptable and culturally appropriate foods, procured, produced and distributed in ways that are sustainable, environmentally sound and socially just.  (Adapted from Fairholm, 1999)

4. Food Security

5. % food insecure Food Insecurity: A Significant Problem in our Communities

6. Why We Care About Food Security?  We care because of: Our Families Our Communities Our Health Our Economy Our Environment

7. The potential impact of food insecurity is significant… Health issues…  Compromised nutritional, physical, social and psychological health and well being  Lifelong implications of child health and development Environmental issues…  Harmful farming/fishing practices Economic Issues…  Loss of jobs due to collapse of industries

8. Food Security What can we do about food insecurity? Stage 1 Efficiency Strategies Stage 2 Substitution Strategies Stage 3 Redesign Strategies Charitable food programs Food resource Guides linking people to alternative Food programs Community kitchens, gardens, etc Food policy networks, coalitions, etc Kalina, 2001; Houghton, 1998; MacRae, 1994 Begin to identify ways to move across the continuum to address food insecurity

9. Food insecurity is a policy issue that spans multiple sectors and jurisdictions Income and social assistance policies Housing and educational supports Government food and agricultural programs Institutional food purchasing Food processing and marketing Health care and healthy living Public transportation Planning and design Minimum wage and labour supply Services to rural and remote areas And …..

10. What’s Happening in NS? Healthy Eating Nova Scotia Department of Health Promotion & Protection 1. To increase the proportion of Nova Scotians who have access to nutritious foods. 2. To increase the availability of nutritious, locally produced foods in Nova Scotia. Healthy Eating Nova Scotia

11. What’s Happening in NS? Nova Scotia Food Security Network  Taking steps to begin to establish a provincial system for monitoring food insecurity (DHPP).  Promoting the use of the food security lens for assessing the impact of policy & budget decisions on food security.  Increasing awareness of extent/reality of food insecurity.  Fostering the development of accessible, affordable, sustainable just food production/distribution/consumption system.

12. What’s Happening Locally?  Voices Mission: to have fresh, locally produced foods available and accessible in Antigonish Advocacy Education Food Box Pilot Program And…..

13. For More Information… NSNC Website: www.nsnc.ca AHPRC Website: www.ahprc.dal.ca Workbook: Thought About Food? www.foodthoughtful.ca Thank-you!