Nutrition and Food Security in Isolated Areas

In Nunavut, the largest, northernmost territory of Canada, 1 kg of frozen vegetables costs $7.99, a 5 kg bag of flour costs $19.99 and regular ground beef—$9.20 per kg.

Food security and nutrition are serious problems in rural areas. Residents cite cost, quality, availability and lack of variety as major barriers to purchasing healthy foods.  Food insecurity in the North is a dire public health emergency.

Whether it is in large urban centres or in remote areas, Salvation Army feeding programs such as food banks and soup vans are striving to give the gift of health by distributing nutritious foods to those who are hungry.

How can Canada better support its vulnerable, particularly in isolated communities, and address hunger and nutrition adequately?