“In a world of plenty, no one, not a single person, should go hungry. But almost 1 billion still do not have enough to eat. I want to see an end to hunger everywhere within my lifetime.”
– Ban Ki-moon, United Nations Secretary-General
“Sustainable energy + food security + healthy environment = full employment + better future.” – Phil Harding
SOCS mission is to enhance the key drivers of food security, but what exactly are they, how do they apply to you, your family and community?
Let’s review them:
Availability is defined as the presence of healthy food in the community.
Access is the ability for residents to physically access healthy food.
Income is the ability for residents to purchase affordable and desirable food options, and:
Food literacy is the ability and desire for residents to make healthy food choices and know how to prepare and preserve it.
We will review each one of these pillars, one per week, and would love to hear from you and your community:
- What are the challenges?
- What are the opportunities?
- What is already happening?
- What other ideas would you like to contribute?
This week the pillar will be: Availability: the presence of healthy food in the community.
Let’s unpack this concept a bit further:
- What is “healthy food”?
According to the Canadian Food Guide, healthy food includes fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lower-fat milk and milk alternatives, fish, lean meat and meat alternatives. Food that is discouraged (eat less of it or only on special occasions) may include: cakes and pastries, cookies, doughnuts, French fries, potato chips, alcohol, soft drinks and sport and energy drinks, among others (see source here)
As a general guide, food you can recognize and has not been processed tend to be healthier: the more local and seasonal the food, the healthier it will be, as nutrients are usually “fresh” and no or few additives or preservatives have been added
- Is there enough variety and availability of this healthy food in Surrey, particularly in the Newton and Guildford areas?
We do have many grocery stores and supermarkets and they seem to have a good variety of foods. There are, however, neighbourhoods with “food deserts”: areas where healthy food is difficult to find and where the only food available may be unhealthy. This is particularly problematic for the elderly, young children, the disabled or sick or people living alone who may not be able to drive far and depends on the corner store.
It is also particularly difficult on immigrants who may be too new to the area and First Nations peoples who may experience other barriers.
How can we improve availability of healthy food in Surrey neighbourhoods?
Some ideas may include:
- Create more community gardens: community gardens also provide a sense of community and care, are multicultural and multigenerational. Learn how you can start or join a community garden here, and here.
- Promote pop-up and itinerant farmer markets so people can access to fresh food easier, this would also encourage social entrepreneurs, small and urban farmers, creating a resilient local economy (imagine markets in trucks?)
- Encourage people to join or create CSA’s and food producer/consumer cooperatives: this not only would improve food availability, it has the potential of creating jobs and strengthening local economies. Learn more about existent CSAs here
- Supporting food trucks selling healthy meals in neighbourhoods identified as food deserts
- Re-think zoning and other by-laws to allow people to grow food in roofs and other unused areas for community consumption or as a social entrepreneurship initiative
- Learn where local farms are located and what they offer, plan to visit farms with family and friends or make it a community trip! Check local farms here: http://www.bcfarmfresh.com/
- Consider hosting a permaculture course in your neighbourhood and involve youth and vulnerable residents to be part of it!
Inspired?
Tell us your ideas! Go to our Facebook Page, follow us on Twitter or Instagram, sign up to receive our Newsletter or drop us a line: seedsofchangesurrey@gmail.com (or post a comment below)
Some resources to dig further:
Great tips from Diabetes Canada to maintain a healthy diet: https://www.diabetes.ca/diabetes-and-you/healthy-living-resources/diet-nutrition
tips for eating healthy and preparing nutritious meals in a budget: https://www.diabetes.ca/diabetes-and-you/healthy-living-resources/diet-nutrition/basic-meal-planning
Resources for social entrepreneurs and urban farmers: https://www.farmfolkcityfolk.ca/resources/