Food Security and Cultural Connectedness

1
Food Security and Cultural Connectedness

• Presented by Kristen McLeod and Lana Johnston

2
What is Food Security and Sustainability?

• Food security defined by Anderson (1990) is
  access by all people at all times to enough food
  for an active, healthy life
• Sustainable food systems - are those in which
  diverse foods are produced in close proximity to
  a market (Stroink and Nelson)
• When foods are unavailable or a persons ability
  to acquire food is limited, then food insecurity
  exists.

3
Where Do We Get Our Food?

• The Green Revolution the change of agricultural
  systems
• Based from local sales and trades and more
  organic products
• Todays systems are highlyindustrialized and
  large commercial enterprises
• Diets depend highly upon the global food system
• People who rely on the modern system generally
  feel quite secure about this global food system
  as a source of food (Stroink and Nelson)

4
Feasibility of a Global System

• Susceptible to changes in market fluctuations
• Unhealthy and contaminated foods
• More environmental degradation destabilizing
  local ecosystems effecting crops, soil salinity,
  soil and water quality and biodiversity.

• But Is It Feasible?

5
Cultural Connectedness and Food

• This Green Revolution is causing a greater divide
  between food and cultural connectedness.
• Many people no longer practice traditional
  methods (hunt, gather, fish and trap) to obtain
  food
• The skills and knowledge of traditional ways are
  diminishing (Stroink and Nelson)
• A study by Stroink and Nelson showed convenience
  and price were more significant than buying local
  and cultural connectedness of the food

6
Rural and Aboriginal Food Security

• Distance from market causing high transportation
  costs drives food prices up for rural
  communities.
• Food is often expensive and of low nutritional
  value.
• Aboriginal seniors becoming food insecure from
  low incomes, poor health, high cost of food and
  limited selection in rural areas (Quandt et al)
• Assistance programs distributed unequally (Quandt
  et al)

7
Overcoming Food Insecurity- Resiliency

• Resiliency - a systems ability to adapt and
  respond to external impacts on a system (King)
• Strengthen traditional knowledge of local food
  availability (ex. The Learning Garden Program)
• Alternative and more sustainable options or
  alternative agri-ecological systems such as
• Organic Agriculture, Permaculture, Biodynamics,
  Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), Farmers
  Markets and Community Gardens