Food insecurity is becoming a worrying problem. To help, our governments send money to their citizens without knowing if these sums are used to buy food. Why not create a food currency?
Data on food insecurity in Canada has reached staggering levels, highlighting the scale of the crisis. This year we are seeing a record increase in the use of food banks with more than 2.5 million visits recorded between April 2022 and March 2023, marking a spectacular 50% increase compared to the previous year. Worryingly, there are no signs that this trend may be slowing. A report released last month by Food Banks Canada revealed that more than 2 million Canadians now rely on food banks.
Even Statistics Canada joined the chorus of alarming food insecurity statistics, announcing that 18% of Canadian families will experience some degree of food insecurity in 2022. No matter where you turn, the data are undeniably dark.
For the condition in which our society finds itself, many have pointed the finger at Ottawa, the provinces or retailers, but the reality is that our current situation results from a combination of various factors that have nothing to do with Canada. Disruptions in supply chains, the conflict in Ukraine and the effects of climate change around the world have all had a negative impact. In fact, compared to many other countries, Canada is doing relatively better.
For example, in Australia, the Foodbank Hunger Count 2023 indicates that 3.7 million households, or 36%, experienced varying levels of food insecurity in the past year. In the UK, earlier this year the Food Standards Agency (FSA) revealed that food insecurity had reached 25%.
Even in the United States, the country known for its affordable food, we have seen the rise of dietary challenges in greater numbers. Feeding America, America’s largest hunger relief and food recovery organization, released a report showing that nearly 49 million people, or one in six Americans, have used hunger relief programs over the past of the last year, a ratio higher than that of Canada.
Despite the export of more than $85 billion in agri-food products, it is sad to see so many Canadians suffering from hunger. The facts are clear, but our path to reducing food insecurity remains less clear. Food banks are a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, doing remarkable work with limited resources. However, these food banks are designed to provide temporary support, not a permanent solution.
PHOTO OLIVIER JEAN, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Pointe-Saint-Charles neighborhood food bank, in Montreal
Many reports provide a comprehensive list of recommendations, such as accelerating the construction of affordable housing and quickly implementing the Canada Disability Benefit, guaranteeing a minimum income. However, these mechanisms require additional capital, greater government involvement and increased bureaucracy. Since we already pay a substantial amount in taxes, our governments may not want to fund expensive new programs that could become permanent, especially as our debt service continues to rise.
Nonetheless, there is a program that could provide much-needed help to those in need without straining existing nonprofits and without adding significant amounts of money to public spending.
Nova Scotia, Montreal and British Columbia have successfully launched community food stamp programs. In particular, the Proximity Card in Greater Montreal or feeder coupons constitute excellent projects.
These various initiatives aim to support low-income households in purchasing fresh, nutritious and locally sourced foods, strengthen food literacy and encourage healthy food choices. Notably, these programs provide participating households with a regular discretionary allocation of an alternative currency, known as “food bucks,” or food dollars, which can be used only at farmers’ markets.
Unlike grocery rebates, which cost Ottawa over $2.5 billion with no guarantee of whether the money would be spent on food, these vouchers or food dollars are valid only for the purchase of food and to support the activities of our farmers.
The costs associated with implementing these programs are minimal. In Nova Scotia, this measure cost approximately $350,000, while the Montreal program received financial support from Desjardins for $50,000. In contrast, British Columbia’s program, launched in 2021, requires about $1 million to help 10,000 households, even though the province has the second lowest rates of food insecurity in the country, at 16 .9%, according to Statistics Canada, despite the increase in real estate prices.
If Canada wants to have an immediate substantial effect on food insecurity, while getting the best value for its investment, it would undoubtedly be with such a program.