CBC News
Food insecurity often comes up in Newfoundland and Labrador, and rightly so.
After all, we have the lowest number of farms of any province, the poorest soil quality (and the most rocks), our food is mainly imported, and a whopping 13.4 percent of households are food insecure.
But what does food insecurity mean? And how can we combat it effectively?
These were among the looming questions that the Food Producers Forum, a non-profit and information hub, attempted to address at its weekend-long Regeneration Conference.
Held virtually last week, food leaders in Newfoundland and Labrador gathered to discuss topics like soil quality, harvesting wild food, food waste, and community gardens.
Sessions on justice and access seemed especially important, and speakers emphasized that food insecurity doesn’t exist in a vacuum; instead, it grows alongside issues like income inequality and low wages.
Josh Smee, chief executive officer of Food First N.L., spoke several times about moving beyond Band-Aid solutions.