All Canadians Have a Right to Food

It's a big week for food security in Canada -- not only did Food Banks Canada launch their annual Hunger Awareness Week, but the United NationsSpecial Rapporteur on the Right to Food arrived as well. Both events highlight the growing problem of hunger in Canada and help draw attention to the root cause of food insecurity: lack of income.

Hunger Awareness Week asked Canadians to "Give it Up" for hunger, reminding us that almost 900,000 people use food banks monthly -- a number that has grown since the beginning of the recession in 2008. While this number is shockingly high, the total only reflects the one in four Canadians that use this service. As people challenge themselves to 'give up' a food item they enjoy, they should think beyond food banks and consider the reason people go hungry: they can't afford food.