Sustainable Food Habits to Address Food Insecurity in Canada

Recent times have seen rising awareness about food insecurity and food shortage crises. The numerous lockdowns from the Covid-19 pandemic presented challenges for not only small businesses but also farmers worldwide. Canada’s extreme cold is an additional factor. Even now, these effects linger and food insecurity remains a major issue.

What is Food Insecurity?

The United Nation’s World Food Program defines the term as “the lack of secure access to sufficient amounts of safe and nutritious food for normal human growth and development for an active and healthy life.” They categorize people as food secure if “food [is both] consistently available and accessible in sufficient quantities and diversity. Households must be able to utilize (store, cook, prepare and share) the food in a way that has a positive nutritional impact.”

In 2019, 135 million people in 55 countries around the world faced acute or worse levels of food insecurity. The numbers have only risen. Experts say this hunger crisis is global and arose from a multitude of factors. Economic fall-out from the pandemic, such as the sudden loss in income for countless people who were already from paycheck to paycheck and widespread currency shortages from tourism drying up is a major factor. Other key factors are ongoing problems like climate change, violence, population displacement, and humanitarian disasters.

The pandemic also placed hurdles on planting, harvesting and transporting crops. According to the Sylvain Charlebois of Dalhousie University’s Food Analytics Lab, in the past, there wasn’t usually much relation between the food supply chain and retail costs, but the pandemic drove up costs. That is why food prices cannot drop.

In 2017, the average Canadian household spent $8527 annually on food. With inflation rates still above the typical rate of 1.5 to 2% after the pandemic, these expenses remain higher than the pre-pandemic years.

Sustainable Food Habits 

There are some sustainable actions we can take on a personal level to minimize the effects of food insecurity in Canada and be more responsible with what we have. Some starting points are:

1. Save the seeds from fruits and vegetables

Instead of tossing them, plant them in the appropriate season. Make sure to buy organic ones to avoid the effects of chemicals in the seeds. 

2. Use eco-friendly food containers, jars, and bags over plastic options

While plastic zip bags and other plastic food storage containers work, it is important to invest in sustainable containers such as steel containers, bamboo bags, or cloth bags. Re-purposed jars are also eco-friendly and can be used for a multitude of foods.

3. Find creative ways to stretch ingredients over several meals 

For example, instead of throwing away or composting overripe fruits, add some honey or maple syrup on them and freeze them for homemade ice cream/sorbet.

4. Stock up on non-perishable food for emergencies

Some good items are rice, beans, quinoa, dried pasta, lentils, spices, canned fruits and vegetables, and dehydrated foods. Just buy enough to sustain your family.

5. Do not waste food

Don’t throw away leftovers. Freeze in advance what you think you may not be able to finish.

6. Learn best practices and techniques from homesteading programs

Homesteading is where you become self-sufficient for food and grow your own produce. 

7. Start hydroponic systems at home with what you have

The term refers to the process of growing food without soil. Aquaponics, a similar practice, may also an option. 

8. Donate to food banks

If you have extra non-perishable food items, consider donating to your local food bank or organization. Remember, everyone needs food to survive.

9. Share these tips with your friends and family

By spreading the word, we can collectively help to address food insecurity in Canada with sustainable practices.

Conclusion

We can all play our part and do our best to minimize the damage. The best time to start is now. 

At Green Schools Green Future, we spread the word about how we can address causes like food insecurity and create a better, more sustainable world. Be part of the movement and help us build our first green school to create better green leaders.