Education & Advocacy

EDUCATION & ADVOCACY

Through social media, weekly newspaper articles in the Intelligencer, and community presentations, CDC Quinte works to shed light on root causes of food insecurity and possible pathways to food justice and community resilience. We also bring awareness to community food efforts that are taking place locally and in other communities.

Since food security and insecurity are complex issues, we attempt to unpack these issues at their core, by delving into different topics from different angles.

By maintaining an ongoing conversation that keeps food security issues top of mind, we hope this will build desire in our local citizens to take action.

About "Food Insecurity"

Food insecurity is the inability to acquire or consume an adequate diet quality or sufficient quantity of food in socially acceptable ways, or the uncertainty that one will be able to do so. Household food insecurity is often linked with the household's financial ability to access adequate food.

Hunger is the face of poverty

1 in 9 Households in H&PEC experiences food insecurity. There are health consequences associated with food insecurity.

The cost of eating poorly over the long term comes in the form of chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.
Health care costs can increase up to 3x as the result of severe food insecurity.

Food Insecurity Levels in H&PEC compared to Ontario

Moderately and severely food insecure, 10.5% H&PEC, 8.5% Ontario
Marginally, moderate and severely food insecure 16.8% H&PEC, 13.1% Ontario

If you had to choose between paying your rent or buying food, what would you do, knowing that if you get evicted, you won’t have a cupboard to put your food in?
If you had to choose between paying the hydro bill or buying food, what would you do, knowing that if the hydro is cut off, you won’t have any way to cook your food or keep it refrigerated?
Hunger is the face of poverty!
We know there is no point in encouraging people to eat healthier when they can’t afford to buy healthy food or healthy food isn’t available in or near their neighbourhood.