Focus Area 2: Increasing Food Security
33% of Survey Responses
The Key Takeaway:
More people than ever before are experiencing food insecurity in Saskatchewan as food banks report a significant rise in visits.
Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action Addressed:
19, 46.iii UNDRIP, 55.iv
United Nations SDGs Addressed:
1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 12.3
What are community organizations saying?
- Hungry children and families.
- Healthy food choices are sacrificed for rent.
- Unaffordable food.
- Lack of healthy meals for residents of long-term care homes.
With the inflation and the food prices [increasing] I don't know how families are doing it these days. Our numbers are going up. Our requests are being increased all the time and schools are asking for more... So I know that the food insecurity is there and that there are hungry kids out there.”
Community Stories
Increasing Food Security
Why is this happening?
Having consistent healthy meals is as essential as having a home. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 outbreak forced restaurants and food processing facilities to temporarily close. These closures led to grocery stores being the primary providers of food services. Due to the need to reconfigure channels of food distribution, supply chains had to adjust their processes. Closures and supply chain disruptions have driven food prices to record highs.
According to the latest Statistics Canada figures (Figure 3), food price inflation rates in Saskatchewan, averaging at 9.3%, have consistently exceeded the rest of Canada’s rates for the months of March through June in 2023. Despite the federal government’s attempts to slow inflation via interest rate increases, grocery prices are not showing any signs of decline. Canada’s Food Price Report released in July 2023 projects further increases to food prices by 5% to 7%. With these factors in mind, it is understandable that our community partners report increases in food insecurity.
Figure 3: Food Inflation in Saskatchewan vs. Canada, January – June, 2023
Source: Statistics Canada. Table 18-10-0004-01 Consumer Price Index.
Food Inflation in Saskatchewan vs. Canada
January – June, 2023
No Data Found
A University of Saskatchewan report reveals that the prevalence of low incomes is a contributing factor to increased food insecurity across the province. Census Population data for 2016 and 2021 is confirming that the number of households without any earned income has decreased for all regions in South Saskatchewan (Figure 4).
We also see more households falling into a low income category, where their income is below 50% of median household incomes (except for Melville, Moose Jaw, Weyburn, and Regina).
These changes in earned and low income means that people are getting poorer.
Figure 4: Prevalence of Low Income in South Saskatchewan, 2015 vs. 2020
Source: Statistics Canada. Census of Population, 2016 and 2021
Prevalence of Low Income in South Saskatchewan
2015 vs. 2020
No Data Found
...Our kids just need that consistent lunch that we provide to help them with school and being able to succeed in what they’re doing. This year for sure we saw the rising cost of food. We watched as our numbers [of children accessing food] skyrocketed from the 150 that we usually start with in September to over the 400 mark, and as we continued through the year that number never dropped. So we are seeing families choose between housing and food.”
When looking at legislated minimum wages across the provinces (Table 3), Saskatchewan’s minimum wage of $14 per hour is the lowest in Canada. A $15 minimum wage is expected in Saskatchewan by October 1, 2024.
High food prices and low incomes are the causing factors forcing individuals to use food banks. Individuals also tend to sacrifice their meals to pay rent if it prevents them from losing their home. “The rapid rate of inflation, coupled with rising rental costs, is driving people who were already living precariously close to the edge, off that edge.” (pg. 2, 2022 Hunger Count Report).
Table 3: Minimum Wages Across Canadian Provinces (October 2023)
Source: Minimum Wage Database. Government of Canada.
Minimum Wages Across Canadian Provinces
October 2023
Loading..........
The Data is Not Available
Minimum Wage Across Canadian Provinces
October 2023
| Jurisdiction | Effective Date | Wage Rate |
|---|---|---|
|
British Columbia |
June 23, 2023 |
$16.75 |
|
Nunavut |
April 1, 2020 |
$16.00 |
|
Ontario |
October 1, 2023 |
$16.55 |
|
Quebec |
May 1, 2023 |
$15.25 |
|
Alberta |
June 26, 2019 |
$15.00 |
|
New Brunswick |
April 1, 2023 |
$14.75 |
|
Newfoundland & Labrador |
October 1, 2023 |
$15.00 |
|
Nova Scotia |
October 1, 2023 |
$15.00 |
|
Prince Edward Island |
October 1, 2023 |
$15.00 |
|
Manitoba |
October 1, 2023 |
$15.30 |
|
Saskatchewan |
October 1, 2023 |
$14.00 |
Table 4: Food Bank Use in Saskatchewan (2022)
Source: Food Banks Canada. Hunger Count 2021 and 2022.
Food Bank Use in Saskatchewan
2022
|
Total # of food bank visits |
44,851 |
|
Share of visits by children |
40% |
|
Change in total visits (2021-2022) |
Increase by 37% |
|
Change in total visits (2019-2022) |
Increase by 21% |
Food Bank Use in Saskatchewan
2022
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The Data is Not Available
Food Bank Use by Source of Income
2022
No Data Found
In 2022, food banks saw a 37% increase in visits compared to 2021 (Table 4). Of the total visits, 40% were by children. When considering food bank usage by a client’s source of income, individuals and families relying on Income Assistance are the primary users of food bank services. As food banks step up to provide relief, other community organizations are also eager to help and have organized community fridges, bread/soup kitchens, and have mobilized staff in some schools to prepare food kits for the children to get the families through weekends. However, these temporary solutions, while immensely appreciated, are not enough to solve a complex problem of food insecurity in Saskatchewan.
Keeping North Central Students Fed with Chili for Children
Since 1979, Chili for Children has been providing children from marginalized families in the North Central area of Regina with healthy meals and cooking skills that they can carry through their lives.
They are an Indigenous-led organization that offers a nutritious lunch for approximately 1,000 students per day. They primarily serve Kindergarten and elementary students at three inner city schools, but they are also now open to offer lunch to high school students in need twice a week at Scott Collegiate. In addition to this, they have also received a small grant to start a six-week course to teach parents how to cook nutritious food while on a limited budget. While they would like to expand their services further to address a growing need for food security, Greg Stevenson, Executive Director of Chili for Children, expresses that they are currently at capacity with their resources.
“A few years ago, we were serving about 700 students per day and every year we’ve seen an increase. One year we jumped from about 700 to 800. Last year we had an increase of about another 100. Schools are asking if we can provide more food because they see an increase in enrollment. We have had a gradual increase every year, but we must tell schools that we can’t serve more than 1,000 students right now.”
– Greg Stevenson, Executive Director of Chili for Children
The demand is difficult for Chili for Children to keep up with, but they work hard to make sure as many children as possible get the food they need to succeed in school. The staff are dedicated and committed to feeding the children. Beyond the six staff that keeps the organization running smoothly, having reliable vehicles and equipment is key to their mission. Stevenson explains how important their vans are to their operations and talks to how they navigate aging vehicles in need of repair.
Chili for Children staff travel from one end of Regina to the other daily for purchasing food, picking up donated foods, and to deliver the hot meals to the schools. They also sometimes travel between Regina and Lumsden to gather food. While they see the challenge to feed children rising due to increased cost of food, they are optimistic that they will continue to feed as many children as possible, giving them the nourishment needed to be engaged students.
Highlighted actions being taken across South Saskatchewan:
- Saskatchewan Government provided a one-time payment of $500 to Saskatchewan households in late 2022 and early 2023 to help residents with rising costs due to inflation. In its 2023-24 budget, the federal government announced that it will be providing grocery rebates at double the GST/HST credit amount from January 2023 to eligible households.
- AGT Foods, in partnership with Food Banks Canada and Drive Away Hunger, announced the AGT Food Bank Crop Exchange Program in September 2023 - a program connecting producers across Saskatchewan with food banks in their communities. The program asks producers to donate a portion of their crop delivery when they deliver to their local AGT Foods delivery location, the proceeds from which go to support local food banks across Saskatchewan and Western Canada.
- In 2022, Saskatchewan Health Authority Nutrition and Food Service launched the Apple-A-Day (AAD) initiative – a program aimed at supporting individuals who are experiencing food insecurity. It’s designed as a weekly, free of cost, ‘prescription’ box of fresh fruits and vegetables for patients requiring improved nutrition. It was set to be tested and evaluated for one year at three locations: Pasqua Hospital in Regina, Battleford Union Hospital, and the La Ronge Community Health Centre.
In 2022, 18.8% of total granted funds distributed through the South Saskatchewan Community Foundation supported the food security focus area.
A Story of Hope:
MNP Community Fund Supporting Regina, Estevan, and Weyburn Food Banks Throughout COVID-19
Staff at the Regina & District Food Bank in PPE preparing delivery hampers in boxes after shifting to COVID-19 safety protocols.
The MNP Community Fund was established at SSCF in 2017 by MNP partners based in Regina, Estevan, and Weyburn to support community programs and initiatives in those communities. In 2020, the Fund prioritized sending aid to those impacted by COVID-19 in the communities they support. As a result, a total of $52,500 was distributed towards the Regina & District Food Bank ($35,000), the Salvation Army Estevan Food Bank ($10,000), and the Salvation Army Weyburn Food Bank ($7,500). This one-time disbursement helped get food into the hands of those who needed it urgently.
MNP is proud to support the communities where our team live and work everyday. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and economic conditions, we knew supporting the Food Banks was more important this year than ever. It was important for us at MNP to give back and make a meaningful contribution to those in our communities being directly impacted by food insecurity during these challenging times.
The MNP Community Fund was established at SSCF in 2017 by MNP partners based in Regina, Estevan, and Weyburn to support community programs and initiatives in those communities. In 2020, the Fund prioritized sending aid to those impacted by COVID-19 in the communities they support. As a result, a total of $52,500 was distributed towards the Regina & District Food Bank ($35,000), the Salvation Army Estevan Food Bank ($10,000), and the Salvation Army Weyburn Food Bank ($7,500). This one-time disbursement helped get food into the hands of those who needed it urgently.
Vital Reflections:
The following Vital Reflections are questions you can ask yourself to ponder ways to get involved to increase food security in your community. These are intended to be a starting point to get you thinking of how you can help within your own individual capacity:
- How can I identify and connect with local food banks or food pantries that are in need of volunteers or donations?
- Are there community gardens or urban farming initiatives that I can participate in to help grow fresh produce for those in need?
- What can I do to raise awareness about food insecurity in my community and encourage others to join the cause?
- How can I collaborate with local organizations to organize food drives, cooking classes, or nutrition education workshops?
- Can I advocate for policies or initiatives at the local level to address food insecurity and promote equitable access to food resources?
