Ensuring access to affordable and healthy food was already a challenge for thousands of Newfoundland and Labrador residents long before the pandemic arrived with the province’s first case of COVID-19 in March.
Many people in Newfoundland and Labrador struggle to afford food. St. John’s has the highest rate of food insecurity of any Canadian city, with food insecurity affecting 1 in 6 households, according to Statistics Canada’s Canadian Community Health Survey.
Now, nearly a year after restrictions caused by COVID-19 have posed an even greater threat to this food security, many in the province are struggling to put nutritious and affordable food on their table.
For this reason, Food First NL is conducting the St. John’s Food Assessment in order to gauge the food issues many people in the city are facing, with the intention to take action and improve food security for all. The program is a community-led study of every aspect of food security, from the production and distribution of food to its eventual disposal.
Local organizations are now co-hosting activities and events through a campaign called Eat the City!
“There are so many ways of looking at the food we consume, so we try to look at it holistically as a food system,” says Sarah Crocker, program coordinator with Food First NL. “Our goal here is to come up with an action plan that’s clear and appropriate to the community, with the priorities of the people who live in the city reflected in that.”
Although the pandemic has accentuated issues surrounding food security, Food First NL’s food assessment has been in the works for the past year. But, as Crocker notes, COVID-19 has “definitely highlighted vulnerabilities in our food system and it’s good timing to have these kinds of discussions.”
The assessment will contextualize the issues from a broad perspective, taking in input through survey, focus groups, and community leaders. Once the information is analyzed, Food First NL aims to draw priorities and address urgent areas for immediate action.
“We’re really excited to ensure there is this community buy-in and it’s representative of St. John’s,” adds Crocker.
In an effort to succeed, Food First NL has enlisted a team of food animators — passionate volunteers who will act as ambassadors between communities, Food First NL and the food assessment itself.
Ryan Steeves is one such food animator. A 28-year-old financial adviser with a love for cooking, Steeves views food as a building block in communities and was driven to get involved.
“I feel like it’s important to push people towards easier ways to feed themselves, but also it’s a way for me to ... make a difference.”
Ensuring the program is community oriented, food animators will work mutually with the food assessment and connect communities and individuals as a resource for community food projects.
“My idea is to share food skills. I’ll be setting up presentations, whether it’s interactive or otherwise, by the end of this, so people can get actively involved,” says Steeves. “I think hearing from the community makes the actions more helpful. We’ll know who to partner with and what areas to focus on getting participation, as well as food skills.”
An integral aspect of the assessment is the city-wide survey that asks questions about priorities like food waste and transportation, as well as local issues, including where people shop and what elements require improvement in different city wards.
“We want to hear from people,” says Crocker. “We really encourage a lot of people to get involved and share their thoughts and reflections of the future of food in St. John’s. What does food mean to you and what do you see as the most important priority in your community?”
Food First NL’s survey will remain open through February and participants will be automatically entered into a draw. Interested residents can participate in the survey at foodstjohns.ca.
