Peterborough Food Action Network Launches New Report on Local Food Security After COVID-19

Peterborough Food Action Network (PFAN) released a report of household food insecurity during COVID-19 and how Peterborough can move towards a better “normal” beyond the pandemic marking United Nations’ World Food Day on Satuday.

File Photo.

Lauren Kennedy, PFAN member and Registered Dietitian at Peterborough Public Health, shared the reason for the report.

“Peterborough’s pre-pandemic ‘normal’ was not OK for many community members facing food insecurity and health inequities. Even before COVID-19 affected livelihoods, 14.5% of Peterborough households worried about having enough money to put food on the table.”

“During the pandemic, food insecurity has disproportionately affected people who were already vulnerable. In moving towards real recovery, we need to address the factors and systems that generate those vulnerabilities,” said Dr. Mary Anne Martin, PFAN member, food systems researcher and Trent University instructor. “Household food security increased in Canada during COVID-19. National rates jumped up 39% from pre-pandemic numbers in the first two months of the pandemic.”

According to PFAN, a shift is needed to understand food as a human right.

“Seeing food as a human right means that everyone should be able to access the food that they need, along with other basic needs, like housing, and clean air and water,” added Dr. Martin.

In its report, PFAN recommends actions and policies such as a Basic Income Guarantee and other income supports, affordable housing, cross-sectoral collaboration, support for growing food at home, and a systemic approach to antiracism.

“We need to work together to shift towards seeing food as a human right, to allow for dignified access to healthy food for everyone,” said Kennedy.

The report can be found on PFAN’s website.

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