Category: **ESPC Documents: Publications

What is Food Security?

The United Nations defines food security as existing “when all people at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life.” Alberta Food Matters defines food security as “the condition in which all people at all times can acquire safe, nutritionally adequate, and personally acceptable foods in a manner that maintains human dignity.”

“… despite Canada’s economic recovery, the number of Canadians facing food insecurity – inadequate or insecure access to food because of financial constraints – is not abating. In fact, the problem has persisted or grown in every province and territory since 2005, with 2012 rates in Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Quebec, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia, Nunavut and the Northwest Territories reaching their highest observed since Health Canada began monitoring the problem.” – Naomi Dachner, co-author of Household Food Insecurity in Canada.

Food Bank Use in Edmonton

Edmonton’s Food Bank works with more than 200 community agencies and serves more than 13,000 people each month through its hamper program. In addition, more than 350,000 meals and snacks are provided each month through affiliated agencies.

ESPC Documents/Fact Sheets/fACT_Sheet_Food Security_June_2014.pdf

Stats

Edmonton (source: www.homewardtrust.ca)

• The most recent Homeless Count in Edmonton in 2012 revealed 2,174 homeless people, 223 of whom were dependent children and 119 were caregivers. In addition, 56 youth under 16 without caregivers were also counted.

Canada (source: raisingtheroof.org)

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We have released our annual analysis of the Government of Alberta’s 2014 Budget.

Budget 2014 covers the time period from April 1, 2014 to March 31, 2015 (2014-15) fiscal year (FY). Budget 2014 estimates an operational surplus of $2.6 billion, and a consolidated surplus of $1.1 billion when capital spending and net savings are included. The government’s revenue picture has brightened considerably since last year’s budget due to higher than expected energy prices and a lower Canadian dollar. As a result, operational spending will increase next year though by less than inflation and population growth. In this fACT sheet, next year refers to the 2014-15 FY and this year refers to the current 2013-14 FY.

ESPC Documents/Fact Sheets/fACT sheet Alberta Budget March 2014.pdf