Edmonton Social Planning Council

Category: Blog: Food Security

Blog post: Small Steps Add Up: International Food Loss and Waste Awareness Day
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Written by Jennifer Scherer, ESPC volunteer

September 29 is International Food Loss and Waste Awareness Day, which highlights the impact of food loss and waste and raises awareness of steps everyone can take to reduce food waste. Food loss is defined as when food is discarded during production, manufacturing, or distribution process (National Zero Waste Council, 2018) and accounts for 13% of the world’s food supply (UN, n.d.) or 1.3 billion tonnes of food (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2022). Food waste is defined as when food is discarded from retail stores, restaurants, or homes (Zero Waste Canada), and accounts for 19% of the world’s food supply (UN, n.d.). Between food loss and food waste, 32% of food is discarded instead of being used. Food loss and food waste is widespread and greatly impacts us. The resources, effort, and land that was devoted to producing this food has been wasted, and the decomposition of this food emits methane. These methane emissions contribute 8-10% of total greenhouse gas emissions. Part of the reason for food cost increases is due to scarcity, and currently around 735 million people experience hunger (UN, n.d.).

Food waste happens in many settings. In Canada, the three largest contributors to food waste are manufacturing (23%), consumer waste (21%), and processing (20%) (National Zero Waste Council, 2018). Canadian households throw away an average of 140 kilograms of food per year, with an average cost of $1300/year (Love Food Hate Waste, 2024). With consumers being a large contributor to the problem, consumers can be a significant part of the solution. Consumers waste food for many reasons which include: Lack of meal planning and timely food storage; limited access to technology to help food last longer such as packaging and refrigeration; and people wanting to avoid getting ill from consuming food past expiration dates (National Zero Waste Council, 2018).

National Zero Waste Council (2018) has developed a strategy for Canada with the goal of reducing food loss and waste by 50% by 2030. The three main strategies they have built their recommendations on are:
- Prevention- Stop food loss and waste from happening. Strategies include having clear date labelling on foods, retail stores implementing good inventory management, improved packaging to help food last longer, and a culture shift to help everyone develop habits that will help prevent food waste (National Zero Waste Council, 2018).
- Recovery- Redirect food that would otherwise be wasted to feed people or animals. Strategies include donating unused food to food banks and other non-profits who can use the food, removing obstacles that prevent people from being able to donate food, and using food that would otherwise be discarded to feed animals (National Zero Waste Council, 2018).
- Recycle- Make use of energy or nutrients from unavoidable food loss. Strategies include investing in composting and biofuel technologies, limiting food waste that goes to landfills, and setting up homes and public spaces to make it easier to separate food waste from other waste (National Zero Waste Council, 2018).
Since International Food Loss and Waste Day was started in 2019, the efforts made to raise awareness and promote change have made a difference. Research and policy recommendations are being developed to help support producers, companies, governments, and consumers understand how to address food loss and waste (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2022). Most major grocery chains have initiatives to improve sustainability and prevent food loss. The strategies, progress, and targets of each company are outlined on their websites. Governments and municipalities are implementing the recommended changes and policies to support reductions in food loss and waste. Public awareness campaigns have been launched, helping people understand the changes they can make in their own households to make a difference in preventing food waste.

Edmonton has a Zero Waste Framework with the goal of reducing waste (City of Edmonton, 2024). As part of that framework, the curbside cart rollout for residential waste collection has made it easy for households to separate organic waste. This diverts it from the landfills and turns the organic waste into something useful (City of Edmonton, 2024). Keeping food waste out of landfills is an important step in reducing greenhouse gases, as landfills account for 23% of Canada’s methane emissions (Environment and Climate Change Canada, 2023). Canada has signed the Global Methane Pledge, which commits countries to reducing methane emissions caused by humans to 30% under 2020 levels by 2030 and diverting food waste from landfills is essential to meet this target (Environment and Climate Change Canada, 2023).

A campaign to help households reduce food waste called Love Food Hate Waste Canada has been reaching out to Canadian consumers through a website and a series of publicity campaigns. They provide education on food labelling, food storage, meal planning tips, ideas to use leftovers, and other resources (Love Food Hate Waste Canada, 2024). The practical tips it provides helps consumers notice that their individual efforts and small steps toward change can add up to real change towards reducing food waste.

One policy recommendation is to make clear and simple food dating and labeling rules (Goodwin et al, 2022) as best before dates and use by dates are often misunderstood by consumers, leading to unnecessary food waste. Another recommendation is to have food retailers and restaurants divert unsold food to food banks and other charitable organizations so that food could be redirected to people who need it (Goodwin et al., 2022).

After becoming aware of the scope of the problem that food loss and waste causes, it can feel challenging to try to make changes. These changes can have a big impact by lowering our food costs, reducing greenhouse gases, getting food to those who need it, and producing our food without waste. When we learn more about the series of small steps that we can all take together and make those practical changes, our individual efforts can add up to substantial change.

References

City of Edmonton. (2024). Edmonton’s Zero Waste Framework.
https://www.edmonton.ca/programs_services/garbage_waste/zero-waste-framework

Environment and Climate Change Canada. (2023, September 29). The Government of Canada launches research fund to help prevent and divert food waste from Canadian landfills.
https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/news/2023/09/the-government-of-canada-launches-research-fund-to-help-prevent-and-divert-food-waste-from-canadian-landfills.html

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. (2022). Voluntary Code of Conduct for Food Loss and Waste Reduction. Food and Argriculture Organization of the United Nations. https://www.fao.org/policy-support/tools-and-publications/resources-details/en/c/1635033/

Goodwin, L., Blondin, S., Bassett, G., Roberts, M., Wistrand, L., White, H., Swannell, R., Leib, E.B., Plekenpol, R., & Rouse, H. (2022). Changing Behavior to Help More People Waste Less Food. Champions 12.3. https://champions123.org/sites/default/files/2022-09/Champions_12.3_Playbook_HIGH-RESOLUTION.pdf

Love Food Hate Waste Canada. (2024). Love Food Hate Waste Canada. https://lovefoodhatewaste.ca/

Love Food Hate Waste Canada. (2021). Love Food Hate Waste Canada: Making Every Bite Count: Our First Three Years- 2018 to 2021. https://nzwc.ca/Documents/lfhw-canada-three-year-report-2018-2021.pdf

National Zero Waste Council. (2018). A Food Loss and Waste Strategy for Canada.
https://nzwc.ca/Documents/NZWC-FoodLossWasteStrategy-EN.pdf

United Nations. (n.d.). International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste Reduction. https://www.un.org/en/observances/end-food-waste-day
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September 27, 2024
Food not just for thought: Painting the picture of Food Security within Edmonton

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Written by Rebecca Redd

Partnered with the Edmonton Seniors Coordination Council (ESCC)

Introduction

Food security is a multifaceted issue with various definitions, reflecting its complexity and numerous dimensions (Mills, 2021). Factors such as poor health, lack of social support, and economic challenges, including inflation and the impacts of COVID-19, commonly contribute to food insecurity (Issawi, 2023). Within the senior population, the concept of food security encompasses unique challenges (Park, 2019). Physiological changes such as decreased mobility, increased chronic disease, economic instability, and sensory decline present distinctive barriers to healthy aging and accessing nutritious food (Park, 2019). Some seniors also contend with isolation, compounded by seasonal challenges such as snow removal or icy sidewalks, and changing dietary needs as appetites decrease and specific nutrient requirements increase (Park, 2019). Economic limitations further impact food insecurity, particularly among lower-income senior demographics. For example, according to Statista (2024), the income of a Canadian senior (65+) in 2020 averaged $32,020. However, the average livable wage in Alberta is $22.50/hr, totaling $45,000 a year (Blair, 2024), highlighting that most seniors experience a fixed income below the average livable wage. Another concern regarding food security is rising food costs, with a projected increase of 5-7% from the 10.5% increase in 2022 (Vital Signs, 2023); the typical household food budget is consuming 20% or more of income, whereas in earlier years, the same food would consume 10 – 15% of the household income (Vital Signs, 2023). Finally, cultural factors add another layer of complexity as some communities need help finding diverse and culturally appropriate food options (Mills, 2021). The aging population is rapidly growing, with the number of individuals aged 65 and older surpassing that of children aged 0-14 (Hallman, 2022). This demographic shift underscores the urgency of addressing food security issues among seniors to aid in healthy aging. As the need for senior food security initiatives grows, collaborative efforts are underway to address these challenges.

The Project

Organizations like the Edmonton Seniors Coordinating Council (ESCC) support healthy aging within the senior community. The ESCC provides backbone support to other senior serving organizations, coordinating various programs and resources, including outreach and social prescribing, which help seniors navigate essential services such as tax assistance, CPP access, social connection, and home support. Moreover, the ESCC collaborates with diverse organizations to expand its reach and support underserved aging communities. Through partnerships and initiatives like the University of Alberta practicum in collaboration with the Department of Human Ecology, the ESCC researched food security trends and gaps within the aging sector (ESCC, 2024). This research project included two areas of research. First, this research includes compiling comprehensive asset map resources detailing affordable meal options, low-cost groceries, and other food assistance programs available to seniors in Edmonton. Second, this project included qualitative data collection through relationship-building conversations. The qualitative data consisted of conversations with ten diverse organizations working to combat food insecurity and those with programs targeted toward the aging sector (Redd, 2024).

Gaps and Trends

These conversations highlighted gaps, trends, and conversations regarding food security within the aging sector. Many gaps and trends were discussed with organizations during the relationship quality portion of the report; however, three main themes impacted accessibility for food security in Edmonton. The first barrier identified is transportation/delivery access. Services such as Edmonton Meals on Wheels, CANAVUA, and Westend Seniors Activity Centre offer delivery for seniors. However, most of these delivery services are done for a charge or are run on a volunteer basis (Redd, 2024). These charges are not to gain profit for the organizations; they are used to cover basic costs such as gas and insurance to allow organizations to offer these services. However, this means that there are extra associated costs with accessing meal programs, which is challenging because many seniors live on a fixed income. These unexpected costs can impact close budgeting. Volunteers offer a fantastic service (Redd, 2024). However, services that depend on volunteer ability can impose a lack of consistency within an organization. Not only are there cost barriers to access, but there are other implications, such as vehicle expenses.

The second barrier is access to year-round foods and ethnically diverse food groups. Local farms and farm trip programs, community gardens, and hydroponics work wonders in the summer months of Edmonton (Koay & Dillon, 2020). However, barriers arise regarding the winter months and the types of foods grown in Canada. Considering Canada is a multicultural country, finding ways to grow foods year-round reduces the need for corporate grocery access, positively impacts seniors’ social isolation, and creates a place to produce foods and interact with others (Koay & Dillon, 2020). Currently, in ethnocultural food stores, the prices of culturally appropriate foods are high due to the cost of import, making the taste of home a luxury item. There are ethnically appropriate foods that are easy, affordable, and that can be grown in Canada, such as Okra, an edible plant found in West Africa, which is rich in fiber and lowers blood sugar, aiding in diabetes (Zelma, 2022). Finding a way to introduce these inexpensive and diverse foods will fill two gaps: affordable food and a connection to home for communities. In addition, the lack of diverse foods impacts the individual who can access free food services such as the food bank because their cultural needs and diets still need to be met.

The third identified barrier is language. Though Canada has two official languages (English and French), we are multicultural; having accessible labeling or QR codes for labeling provided in various languages will help people access the correct foods. Through conversations around food security, some stories of negative experiences have risen; this includes individuals mistaking cans of dog food for canned fish (Dicky Dikamba, Personal Communication, 2024), and people from African communities who have never used white sugar, buying white sugar instead of salt (Elizabeth Onyango, Personal Communication, 2024). These mistakes impact how people access food and may create a stigma around accessing the correct food. Additionally, when accessing culturally appropriate foods is unsuccessful, more people visit and use the healthcare system (Sarkar et al., 2019).

Calls to Action

These barriers apply to the aging sector and are common barriers in many food security platforms. Canada is currently in a food crisis, and this article includes four calls to action to motivate change. The first call to action includes collaboration and sharing of resources; funding is slim, and having a platform, such as the John Humphrey Centre, is an important step and a part of the conversation to act as a sounding board and a point of connection for other grassroots organizations to come together as a collective and be stronger together by joining forces and ideas (Jessica Kinsella, Personal Communication, 2024). Another call to action is research for community greenhouses. The need for year-round grown food in community gardens will help create connection, reduce isolation, and increase food security. Using examples and blueprints from initiatives such as Potlotek Atlantic Indigenous, who launched houses in 32 First Nations communities in Cape Breton. This initiative was impactful, allowing the community to become self-sustainable while decreasing the supply and demand for groceries and thus forcing large grocery chains to either lock in or reduce their pricing (Chisom, 2020). Next is a call to chefs, hospitality folks, researchers, and food scientists to create ten culturally diverse, nutritious, affordable, and tasty recipes that can be taught at community kitchens in the community or accessible through other means of media. The collaboration of ideas among chefs and food scientists can instill passion and interest in food and help break down barriers with easy recipes crafted to fit and adequately suffice the meal and nutritional values of foods to aid in healthy aging (Yvonne Chiu, Personal Communication, 2024). These meals can be targeted at families or be created for specific demographics, such as awareness of dietary restrictions, certain eating times, and affordable ways to get protein and vitamins into the diet. Finally, a call for government action to create policies regarding food waste and expired food products, creating accountability for the five giant corporations that control 75% of Canada’s groceries (Evans, 2023). Examples of policy can be taken from the Ontario initiative. In 2018, the Food and Organic Waste Policy Statement was issued, providing targets and guidance for municipalities, businesses, and institutions regarding food insecurity and reducing food waste. This directive urges businesses, including grocery stores, restaurants, food processors, hotels, and motels, to collaborate with food rescue organizations to prevent edible food from being wasted (Ontario, Action Plan, 2018).

Conclusion

The time for action is now. Implementing preventative measures to support seniors in healthy aging and the overall well-being of Canadians is imperative while exploring innovative approaches to tackle the ongoing nationwide food crisis. By uniting our efforts, we can amplify our impact and effectively remove barriers, reshaping the global perception and understanding of food security. We possess the strength, knowledge, and unity to make significant strides in food insecurity. Always remember, we are stronger together.

*****Please take a moment to review the Food Security Report prepared by the John Humphrey Center for an in-depth analysis of projected food security trends for Edmonton in 2030. You can access the report here: Agenda 2030: Edmonton Food Security Report (rightingrelations.org)

Additionally, I encourage you to explore the Fresh initiative established by the City of Edmonton, aimed at ongoing efforts to address food security issues. You can learn more about this initiative through the FRESH: Food and Urban Agriculture Strategy (edmonton.ca) on the City of Edmonton’s website. For further inquiries or connections, please reach out to the provided email address on the City of Edmonton’s page.

References

Blair, N. (2024, March 13). Income statistics in Canada. Made in CA. https://madeinca.ca/income-statistics-canada/.

Chisholm, C. (2020, December 26). Potlotek one of first Atlantic Indigenous communities to Launch Garden Initiative | CBC News. CBCnews. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/potlotek-first-nation-community-garden-1.5844756

Evans, P. (2023, June 28). Canada’s grocery business doesn’t have enough competition – and shoppers are paying the price, report finds | CBC News. CBC news. https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/competition-bureau-grocery-1.6889712

Hallman, S. (2022, April 27). This census in brief article examines recent trends for the population aged 85 and over in 2021. Government of Canada, Statistics Canada. https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/as-sa/98-200-X/2021004/98-200-X2021004-eng.cfm

Issawi, H. (2023, February 3). Edmonton area Groups Fighting Food Insecurity Set the Table for Collaboration. Edmonton Journal. https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/edmonton-area-groups-fighting-food-insecurity-set-the-table-for-collaboration

Ontario Food & Organic Waste Framework. Toronto Environmental Alliance. (2018). https://www.torontoenvironment.org/ontario_food_organic_waste_framework

Park, J. Y. (2019). Food insecurity among the elderly in developed countries: Insights from a multi-national analysis. file:///C:/Users/RebeccaRedd/Downloads/f748570b-45f0-4f2d-92a8-2f1f62b58852.pdf

Redd, R. (2024). A Qualitative Research Report on Food Security within the Aging Sector. Edmonton Seniors Coordinating Council (ESCC).

Sarkar, D., Walker-Swaney, J., & Shetty, K. (2019). Food diversity and indigenous food systems to combat diet-linked chronic diseases. Current Developments in Nutrition, 4, 3–11. https://doi.org/10.1093/cdn/nzz099

Vital Signs Report. (2023). A look at Food Security in Edmonton. Edmonton Social Planning Council (ESPC). ECF_Vital-Signs-FullReport_20745_Digital_F2-1.pdf (edmontonsocialplanning.ca). Accessed: March 22, 2024.

Zelman, K. (2022, June 7). Okra & diabetes: Can help lower blood sugar? benefits, risks, & uses. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/diabetes/okra-diabetes-benefits-risks-uses

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April 17, 2024
Blog: Why Not Both: Albertans Struggling to Afford Housing and Food
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The Alberta government has recently recorded the largest surpluses in history, yet many people across the province struggle to afford life’s necessities. Learn why some Edmontonians have to make tough choices for their households and why the food bank is busier than ever.

By Carrie Cyre, ESPC Volunteer

Alberta has continually been an economically strong province, often topping the list of the highest wages among the provinces. For example, in 2021, the average two-worker family income in Alberta was almost $100 000, and over 15% of working Albertans earn more than $100 000 per year (Siever, 2020; Statistics Canada, 2022).
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(data from Statistics Canada 2022)

However, many Albertans live in poverty. Alberta has the highest income gap between the highest and lowest earners in Canada (excluding the territories) (Statistics Canada, 2022). In 2022 over 400,000 Albertans will live in poverty, including about 160,000 children (Sheloff et al., 2022). Those living in poverty may be unemployed, experiencing homelessness, relying on social assistance as the primary source of income, or employed. For example, 25,000 Edmontonians rely on the Assured Income for the Severely Disabled (AISH), which provides a maximum income of $1685.00, well below the average or even minimum wage (Government of Alberta, 2022).
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(data from Edmonton Community Foundation, 2020; Government of Alberta, 2021)

Nearly 12% of Edmontonians earn minimum wage (Government of Alberta, 2021). Minimum wage earners are at all ages and career stages, including students, single parents, and seniors. Almost 60% of minimum wage earners in Edmonton are women (Edmonton Community Foundation, 2021). The current minimum wage in Alberta is $15.00 an hour, last raised in 2018 (Government of Alberta, 2021). According to Living Wage Alberta, a minimum wage of at least $18.00 an hour would support individuals living a dignified, healthy, and secure life (Alberta Living Wage Network, 2021).
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The Cost of Food

Alberta recently made the news for having the highest food insecurity in the nation (excluding the territories) (Smith, 2022). Food insecurity occurs when a family or household lacks regular access to safe and nutritious food (APCCP, 2017). In addition, food insecurity may be due to the unavailability of food, such as in a famine, or the lack of resources (usually money) to purchase sufficient, healthy food (Proof, 2021).
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(data from Dalhousie University et al, 2022)

Food prices in Alberta are some of the highest in Canada, and many families are feeling the strain. By June 2022, food prices in Alberta have increased by up to 7%, especially for fruits, vegetables, and dairy products (Dalhousie University et al., 2022). The increased cost of food has affected the cost of groceries and eating at restaurants. Some families have reported cutting back on eating out, as well as cutting intake of fruit and vegetables to save money (Harris, 2022).

As a result, the Edmonton Food Bank has seen a 196% demand increase from June 2020 to June 2022 (Panza-Beltrandi, 2022). In addition, individuals from all demographics use the food bank, including working people, students, those who experience homelessness, older adults, single parents, and families with children (Middleton et al., 2019). Finally, one group that has been increasing access to the food bank is single adults who live alone, indicating that their income from salary or government benefits is insufficient to support a place to live and a healthy diet (Ogston, 2022). Unfortunately, the food bank, meant for short-term emergency relief, is becoming a regular food source for some low-income people (Middleton et al., 2018).

The Cost of Housing

For many Canadians, the most significant monthly bill is rent or mortgage payments. Housing in Canada is one of the most expensive markets worldwide (Morel, 2022). While homeownership rates have been consistent, home ownership is much lower in young Canadians, Indigenous persons and racialized Canadians (CHHC, 2021; Morel, 2022). For example, in 2016, persons under the age of 65 were less likely to own their homes than a similar group ten years earlier (Statistics Canada, 2021). Canadians have doubled their mortgage debt since 2016 due to rising housing costs (Uppal, 2019). In addition, rent has gone up considerably in the last ten years. In 2022, the average rent for a one-bedroom in Edmonton is over $1050.00 a month, and for a three-bedroom, almost $1600.00 a month (Springer, 2022).
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Conclusion

Both the right to food and housing are part of the UN Universal Human Rights (UN, 2022).

However, Canada has yet to make these rights part of the Canadian Constitution. In 2019, Canada launched its first-ever Food Policy with funding of $134 million (Government of Canada, 2021). Canada also has deployed a Housing Strategy that aims to build more housing, more affordable housing, and reduce chronic homelessness (Government of Canada, 2017). However, critics argue that neither of these policies has had much effect, and the price of food and housing is higher than ever (Caron et al., 2022; Proof, 2018). Instead, policy should focus on increasing the income of Canadian households to help them bear the changes in housing and food costs, specifically through increased minimum wages and social support benefits (Proof, 2018; Key & Ford-Jones, 2015).

Ensuring safe and sufficient housing and food is essential for a healthy life and can save the Canadian health care system millions in the future (APCCP, 2016). Appropriate housing and food are essential values of life in Canada. However, many households and families living on government assistance, disability assistance, or even working full time find they cannot afford both. So why should Canadian families be forced to make tough choices between having a place to live or eating healthy food in the wealthiest province in one of the most prosperous nations in the world?

Did You Enjoy this Blog? Please provide us feedback here

Carrie Cyre is a public health student and currently working on her master’s degree. She has been volunteering in her community for over a decade, including the UncoverOliver Working Group. When she isn’t studying or volunteering, Carrie loves travel (pre- and hopefully post-COVID), coffee, and enjoying nature.

References
1. Alberta Living Wage Network. (2021). News Release. Alberta Living Wage Network. https://livingwagealberta.ca/2021/11/01/alberta-living-wage-network-launches/
2. APCCP. (2017). Action on Household Food Insecurity. Alberta Policy Coalition for Chronic Disease Prevention (APCCP). https://abpolicycoalitionforprevention.ca/take-action/
3. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. (2021). Housing Market Information Portal. https://www03.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/hmip-pimh/en/TableMapChart/Table?TableId=2.2.11&GeographyId=48&GeographyTypeId=2&DisplayAs=Table& GeograghyName=Alberta
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24. Springer A. (2022). Living in Colour: Racialized Housing Discrimination in Canada. Homeless Hub. https://www.homelesshub.ca/blog/living-colour-racialized-housing-Discrimination-canada
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September 28, 2022
Blog: Edmonton Gleaners Association – Acknowledging over 40 years of Food Rescue

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By Edmonton’s Foodbank

Food waste is a growing concern in our society with research indicating as much as 32% of food is avoidably wasted after it is produced. While food waste is a new and growing concern for many, Edmonton’s Food Bank has been on the forefront of reducing avoidable food waste for over 40 years. To the Food Bank, this is surplus food that can be put to an important use in the community – helping people in need.

Formed in 1981 as the Edmonton Gleaners Association, the organization is better known as Edmonton’s Food Bank. “To glean” means to gather by patient harvest and it has been reducing food waste by rescuing and redistributing food from manufacturers, farmers and retailers. Rescued food is an integral part of operations at Edmonton’s Food Bank, making up approximately 60% of the food distributed by the Food Bank and providing much of the fresh produce, meat and dairy available for food hamper programs and agency partners. Between January and August of 2022, Edmonton’s Food Bank rescued or gleaned over 2.2 million kilograms of food. Six days a week, Food Bank vehicles are on the road collecting food that cannot be sold for various reasons such as over production, cosmetic issues or shelf life concerns.

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This food is then given to people facing food insecurity and to agencies serving our community’s vulnerable populations. The Food Bank is a central warehouse and referral center for over 300 agencies, schools, food depots and community organizations providing a diverse range of food to people in need in Edmonton.

Food rescued by Edmonton’s Food Bank helps local agencies provide meals and snacks to those they support, while allowing them to concentrate more time and funds on the important services they offer.

In addition to assisting local agencies, Edmonton’s Food Bank serves an average of 25,000 individuals per month through its hamper programs, with this number jumping to over 34,000 in recent months. These numbers are the highest in the Food Bank’s history and make rescued food even more vital to Food Bank operations. Food hampers include fresh fruit and vegetables, cereal, bread, and dairy products that are rescued ensuring people have healthy food on their tables and lessening the stress of stretching their limited budgets.

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Edmonton’s Food Bank works closely with Alberta Health Services to ensure that all food they distribute meets the strictest food safety and quality standards. Edmonton’s Food Bank believes all individuals have the right to access quality, safe food.

The issue of surplus food, or food waste, is complex and requires logistical support and thoughtful planning. Edmonton’s Food Bank has expertise built over 40 years in collecting, transporting, storing and distributing rescued food. It welcomes the opportunity to work with others to find creative and new responses to surplus food and helping people in need.

For more information on the Gleaning or Food Rescue Program of Edmonton’s Food Bank, please ask for Sieg or Susan at Edmonton’s Food Bank (780-425-2133).

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September 7, 2022
Blog: National Food Bank Day

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By Edmonton’s Foodbank

The Edmonton Gleaners Association, which is better known as Edmonton’s Food Bank, was formed in 1981. The original mandate of the organization was to “glean” or gather surplus food from the food industry including stores, producers, farmers, food warehouses, and other suppliers. This food was turned over to soup kitchens, shelters, and other organizations providing free food to people in need.

From the beginning, the Food Bank saw itself as an association that would work collaboratively with, and on behalf of, a network of social service agencies and churches regarding gleaning, food drives, and client referral. The organization saw itself as a mechanism in the community to reconcile competing food drives, eliminating unnecessary program duplication, while encouraging broad community participation.

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While thousands of people do access services directly from us, Edmonton’s Food Bank is a central warehouse providing food to over 300 agencies, churches, schools, and food depots providing a comprehensive range of food programs and services helping people in need in Edmonton. In June 2022, almost 35,000 people received a hamper from Edmonton’s Food Bank or one of its affiliates – this is the highest number of people served through hamper programs since the forming of the organization.

The Food Bank offers a variety of different services including different types of food hampers. A hamper is comprised of one or more boxes of food that a family takes to their home and prepares. Hamper contents vary depending on products that are donated, specific dietary needs (like diabetic or celiac) or cultural requests. Hampers can have added product like baby formula or diapers. Hampers are prepared by the Food Bank or one of our affiliated agencies. We also work with specific groups to modify or make specific food hampers like the Edmonton Police Service (EPS) emergency packs or Islamic Family & Social Services Association (IFSSA).

Concerning bulk food for meal & snack programs, this food is accessed by schools, soup kitchens, and shelters. Examples of these partners include Hope Mission, Operation Friendship, Boys & Girls Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boyle Street, The Mustard Seed, The Family Centre, Jasper Place Health and Wellness Centre, and about 60 schools.

Over the years, the Food Bank has developed programs that assist people “Beyond Food”. The Beyond Food program is done in collaboration with other community agencies and provides wrap around support and services to those experiencing poverty and food security. These services include access to academic upgrading, safety tickets to increase employment opportunities, interview and resume preparation and more.

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Edmonton’s Food Bank often also speaks about food security and its link to income security.

As is the case with most food banks, Edmonton’s Food Bank challenges the notion that food on its own will reduce poverty. There is a moral dimension to hunger and we must all be committed to enhancing the health and well-being of others. After all, food is not a realistic substitute for policies that help vulnerable Canadians enter the work force, or access to adequate income support, and affordable housing that enables low-income people to live with dignity.

After 40 years of experience, the Food Bank believes that the active gleaning and utilization of salvageable food is a good thing. As our society looks at recycling and efficient use of what it produces, our organization has been a leader in what is now a larger societal trend.

It is our position as an organization that we must continue to recover and use food, serve those living in poverty, provide sustainable alternative programming, advocate for change, and strive for excellence in all we do.

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September 2, 2022
Blog: Social Determinants of Health

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Canada has long been considered one of the healthiest countries in the world. However, within Canada certain groups tend to be healthier than others. These health inequalities can be partially explained by the Social Determinants of Health (SDH). SDH are socio-economic factors that positively or negatively impact health. The Government of Canada lists 12 SDH, that include income, gender, race and racism, childhood experiences, and education. These factors are all interlinked and speak to a complex web of factors that impact our health and well-being as individuals and as a community.

The most important SDH is income as it acts as a proxy for many other SDH, and can take into account education, age, and experiences of discrimination or racism. Our health can be impacted directly the struggles associated with being in poverty. Those in low-income households are less likely to participate in physical activity, use green-spaces, or be able to afford healthy or adequate food. Because people in poverty often lack the means to participate in society, they are often socially isolated. The stress experienced from poverty can lead to impacts on our ability to make decisions, and even degrade family or neighborhood cohesion. It comes as no surprise then, that Canadians in the lowest income group are three to four times more likely than those in the highest income group to report poor mental health.

Knowing the dire impacts that poverty might have on health, it is important to examine who is more likely to be low-income. According to the latest data released from Statistics Canada, you are more likely to be low-income if you are younger, live in a lone-parent household, or are a single adult. Doing a deeper dive, women are on average at higher risk of being low-income compared to men.

Another key SDH is the role of race, racism, and culture. A 2013 Canadian study suggests that experiences of discrimination increase the risk of poor health and chronic disease, and that Black and Indigenous Canadians are far more likely to experience discrimination. According to the 2016 Census, those who identify as “Aboriginal” are 2.1 times more likely to be low-income compared to those who are not. In the past decade, Indigenous groups have experienced worse labour force participation outcomes than those who are not Indigenous. Similarly, visible minority groups are 1.8 times more likely to be low-income, although prevalence decreases as immigrants settle, have children, and find work. In Edmonton, unemployment rates for Black women and men are nearly two times higher than the rates for their (non-racialized?) counterparts in the rest of the population. The gap in median annual wages between Black women and women in the rest of the population is under $10,000, whereas the gap between Black men and men in the rest of the population is over $22,000.

Untangling the social determinants of health and addressing their root causes requires a drastic reordering of how we govern and treat one another. Steps to decolonize our health care system and increase awareness and training on how to be anti-racist are critical steps in moving towards eradicating health inequalities. Government transfer programs, such as a Universal Basic Income, may have potential in addressing poor health as it relates to income. A basic income would guarantee that everyone, regardless of their work status, could meet their basic needs and live in dignity. The Canadian federal government has recently identified basic income as one of its top policy priorities. Stay tuned for more details closer to home via the Basic Income Campaign for Alberta.
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October 19, 2020