MS Canada’s Post

"Good food? Don’t bank on it. Let’s not wait for political posturing in the run up to the UK general election. We need to rebuild the foundations of a fair food system for all, now. Let’s start talking about the right to good food for all – why that matters and how we can move forward." Food banks have filled an important vacuum, but they have a shelf life and can only ever be a sticking plaster. My latest column for The Grocer: https://lnkd.in/eNAuRsed

Is more food bank funding really what's needed to address food insecurity in Canada, or is it a short-term "Band-Aid" solution? Check out my article from last week to see what the experts have to say.

Canada’s $1 billion investment over five years aims to provide meals to an additional 400,000 children annually, complementing existing efforts. This reminds me of India’s Mid Day Meal scheme, which has been instrumental in ensuring millions of children receive nutritious meals, enhancing both health and educational outcomes. Having worked on the mid day meal scheme programs in North India, comparing the two scenarios it’s interesting to observe there is no linear approach to development concerns. While India had implemented its Mid Day Meal scheme years ago, it continues to evolve and adapt to new challenges and needs. In a welcoming move, Canada is now embarking on its journey with the National School Food Program, demonstrating that solutions must constantly evolve to address changing circumstances. This dichotomy highlights the necessity of context-specific strategies in addressing social issues. More to come!

"Food banks are now normalised. This is a failure of state." - Dan Crossley, Executive Director of Eating Better alliance member Food Ethics Council In his article in The Grocer, Dan says: "Imagine for a moment we received a decree that all food banks in the UK must close overnight. The results would be devastating. That in itself highlights starkly what a treacherous position we in the UK have got ourselves into. Emergency charitable food aid feels like it’s been normalised and entrenched in the UK – something we and others warned about over a decade ago. There are still calls from some quarters to ramp up surplus food redistribution to feed those in need, when that can only ever be a sticking plaster response." This article highlights the hard work of those working on the ground to provide access to food for those most in need, whilst pointing out the normalisation of food banks and emergency food aid. Read full article: https://lnkd.in/eCsngXtE #EatingBetter #FoodEthicsCouncil #FoodSystems #FoodInsecurity #FoodAccess #FoodPolicy #CostOfLiving #FoodBanks

Food prices are up 25% from January 2020, and as someone who tracks expenses month on month, they are up again in the last quarter. As it is also #Ramadan, for those who observe, this is a great time to think about those who are now struggling with their food bills and feeding themselves or their family. Think about donations to local #foodbanks, supporting food drives for those who cannot sustain themselves with current food prices. #inflation #foodsecurity #food #eid #ramadan #ramadan2024 https://lnkd.in/dpUfPCcs

Running a #foodbank has been one of the most rewarding and challenging roles I've ever held. This recent article on TEFAP’s role in #hunger relief is both enlightening and frustrating. It's enlightening because it showcases the vital support #TEFAP provides, especially for food banks in socioeconomically vulnerable communities. For them, TEFAP may represent a substantial portion of the food available for distribution. Yet, it's frustrating to feel the #paternalistic undertones that persist within this government program and, unfortunately, within philanthropic thought and attitudes as well. I applaud the WSCAH CEO and CPO for taking a stand to break these institutional cycles. The requirement for people to prove their neediness, often through invasive data collection, is a stark reminder of how we sometimes approach poverty with a "blame the victim" mentality. Asking families to constantly declare their poverty—sometimes more than once a year—strips away dignity and reinforces stigma. No wonder there is shame and stigma surrounding hunger relief. Why do we continue to set these barriers? Is it truly about accountability, or are we failing to trust and respect those who seek help? It's time to challenge these practices and advocate for a system that supports people without making them feel less-than. For many, these programs are lifelines, not luxuries. I've seen people wait in line for hours, sometimes in the heat and sometimes in the rain, to receive food at a distribution. I don't think anyone chooses to live this way. We need to rethink how we implement #safetynetprograms, ensuring they #empower rather than hinder. What possible future can we imagine and create? Let's use #futuresthinking and #foresight skills to envision and work toward a more compassionate and equitable system where dignified food access is available for all. #HungerRelief #SocialJustice #Poverty #FoodSecurity #Equity #HumanDignity #socialdeterminantsofhealth #SDOH #SystemChange

Food insecurity in Canada is a significant and growing issue in 2024, reflecting ongoing challenges related to government regulatory failure, crony corruption, corporate monopoly power, growing economic inequality, and an out of control cost of living crisis. Despite the crisis's severity, most governments in Canada are not responding with the needed urgency, according to Food Banks Canada's 2024 Poverty Report Cards. The report cards reveal that nearly half of Canadians (44 percent) feel much worse off financially compared to last year, with one in four experiencing food insecurity and more than half changing how they shop. When will we accept that we can’t afford corporate self regulation and special treatment for billionaires? In Solidarity 🇨🇦

🍎 #DidYouKnow that one in three food bank visits are made on behalf of children? Child food insecurity is a prevalent problem in Canada, one that is exacerbated during the summer months when school-centered food supports aren’t available. ⁠ Our various food program ensures that school students have access to nutritious meals all the time. ⁠ 🔗 For more information or to learn how you can get involved, please tap the link in our bio.⁠ #foodbank #foodbankcanada #albertafoodbank

Date: June 20th, 2024 For Immediate Release   Food Shortage at Food Banks Hundreds of New Immigrant Families are Suffering in Canada (Calgary) The Islamic Supreme Council of Canada (ISCC) operates two Halal Food Banks, Sayyidah Fatemah Food Bank in Calgary and Sayyidah Zahrah Food Bank in Mississauga. These two food banks serve hundreds of Muslim and non-Muslim families in the Greater Toronto Area and Calgary. There are two smaller food banks in Saint John, New Brunswick, and Maple Ridge British Columbia. Due to inflation and higher prices of food items hundreds of new immigrant families are in crisis. They cannot afford to buy groceries at a store. ISCC food banks are also facing a serious shortage of grocery donations from the community. ISCC food banks completely depend on community support. Over the last three years, grocery donations from the community have declined by more than 40%. This ultimately affects the families who depend on the food banks for their groceries. ISCC asks the federal government to take immediate action to lower the prices at the grocery stores. The crisis is serious. It is impacting children more than adults. If this crisis is not resolved soon, we are very concerned about its overall impact on Canadian society. New immigrants and refugees come to Canada with high hopes. But when they get into the issue of having a respectable life, their youth and children develop isolation from mainstream society. When Canadian life at its beginning becomes a survival issue for new immigrants, it damages the image of Canada in the eyes of the young generation. They are the future Canadian citizens. It is the responsibility of all levels of the Canadian government to manage this food price crisis urgently. For questions, please contact Imam Syed Soharwardy at 416-994-5467 OR 403-831-6330. Thanks

We are thrilled with the Government of Canada's announcement today to invest $1 billion over the next five years to establish a National School Food Program. This will help feed an additional 400,000 children across Canada. We commend the government for actioning this initiative. "Food insecurity is at crisis levels in Canada, with one in four children living in a food insecure home. Food security is fundamental to health and dignity, as well as academic, social and economic potential. Historically, Canada has been the only G7 country without a national school food program. This leadership and action on the part of the federal government addresses this failing and further strengthens our societal net, so that more children in Canada will have the potential to learn and succeed,” says Sarah Stern, Executive Director of the Maple Leaf Centre for Food Security. The School Food Program will deliver immediate benefit to the millions of children and their families struggling with food insecurity — but we know there is still more work to be done! Read more in our release: https://ow.ly/l0eM50R69cL