COVID-19: Food Secure Canada in action

Food Secure Canada's role has been to harness the power of the collective in order to build a food system that is more healthy, sustainable and just. Even as the world changed drastically in light of Covid-19, we've been seeing incredible solidarity, ingenuity, and motivation for systems-wide change. The crisis has highlighted the deep inequities in our system, and while we must address the urgent needs of today, how do we channel energy to enact long-term systemic change?

the latest

Growing Resilience and Equity: A Food Policy Action Plan in the Context of Covid-19

FSC’s “Growing Resilience And Equity” outlines a policy action plan for food system renewal, post-Covid and beyond.

View the Action Plan

Read the Press Release

What we've been up to

• Working together to build sustainable food systems: A View from Québec: APRIL 30, 2020 – In Québec, where the crisis is hitting particularly hard, a discussion has begun on the necessity to rethink not only how we take care of victims of this pandemic, but also how we can become more self-sufficient in the production of basic essentials, especially food.
• [WEBINAR] Food policy and COVID-19 : From short-term response to food system transformation: APRIL 16, 2020 – COVID-19 has brought into focus the weaknesses in our food system, and as governments of all levels roll out policies and programs in response, it is an important moment to push for transformative change. Where is the momentum right now, and how can we use it to build a better food system in the long-term?
• How to get funding for food security work in your community: APRIL 14, 2020 – Recently the Government of Canada announced an investment of $100 million  in support of food banks and local food organizations.
• Covid-19: Policy proposals from the food movement: APRIL 8, 2020 – FSC has put together a spreadsheet of food systems policy proposals from across Canada, to track the development of innovative ideas across the country.
• [Press Release] Federal Government Announces $100 M for Food Banks and Local Food Organizations: APRIL 3, 2020 – These funds will allow community organizations to respond better to the Covid-19 crisis.
• Latest stats on food insecurity from PROOF: MARCH 26, 2020 – The latest data shows that 1 in 8 Canadians experience food insecurity, and with Covid-19, this number is now set to increase. However, there is one key policy solution which can prevent further food insecurity: universal basic income.
• Let’s make sure no one is left behind in this time of crisis: MARCH 19, 2020 – While we may feel powerless as we practice social distancing, there are many ways that we can help our communities.
• COVID-19 highlights food system inequities: Time for systemic change: MARCH 18, 2020 – The federal stimulus package provides important support, but we should not miss the opportunity to enact wider systemic change.
• List of needs across Canada: MARCH 17, 2020 – In response to growing calls for help from food organizations on the ground, we put together a national database of needs, organized by province. As many of us find more time to reflect, may it spur us to pick up the phone and call a local organization, neighbour or friend to offer help.

In the media: Advocating for change

• An opportunity to change how corporations treat the workers who put food on our table: (Rabble) AUGUST 10, 2020
• Food insecurity on the rise, concentrated in families with children: StatsCan: (iPolitics) JUNE 24, 2020
• COVID-19 is Worsening Food Insecurity in Nunavut: (The McGill International Review) JUNE 23, 2020
• Food Security in the time of COVID-19: (Daraja Press) JUNE 19, 2020
• Take action now for healthy, just and sustainable food systems: (Rabble) JUNE 1, 2020
• Food experts warn COVID-19 could undo trends of Canadians choosing healthy groceries: (iPolitics) MAY 28, 2020
• Cracks in the global food system more apparent with COVID-19: (Policy Options) MAY 27, 2020
• The pandemic has laid bare structural inequalities in our food systems, advocate says: (CBC - Sunday Edition) MAY 15, 2020
• Opportunity to re-think food production in Canada amid COVID-19: report: (iPolitics) MAY 15, 2020
• Fast support for slow food: Could COVID-19 economic recovery measures strengthen local food systems in BC?:  (West Coast Environmental Law) MAY 6, 2020
• COVID-19 : réfléchir à l'insécurité alimentaire (French): (Radio-Canada) APRIL 12, 2020
• Gisèle Yasmeen on Radio-Canada (French): (Radio-Canada Phare Ouest) APRIL 7, 2020
• 5 lessons for food systems thinking from COVID-19: (Medium) APRIL 1, 2020
• How the coronavirus pandemic is affecting food security in Canada: (Global News) APRIL 1, 2020
• Melana Roberts and Gisèle Yasmeen: An opening to transform our food-system?: (The Province) MARCH 30, 2020

Across the food movement

• Coalition for Heathy School Food: APRIL 1, 2020 – For many children, staying at home means being unable to access much-needed healthy meals provided at school. School food and community organizations are using ingenuity to feed children and families, even while schools are closed. Read more...

• Food Communities Network: This new network brings together those working at the municipal or community-wide level to share knowledge and tools, and their first meeting focused on municipal responses to Covid-19. Learn more...

Do you have news to share from your community? E-mail us at communications@foodsecurecanada.org.