What we really talk about when we talk about food insecurity

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.

"Food insecurity is usually a symptom of poverty," he said. "There are exceptions, but we're usually talking about poverty when we talk about food insecurity."

So, what is a Band-Aid solution to food insecurity? Smee says that food banks and meal programs are prime examples of short-term solutions.

"Food banks didn't exist in Newfoundland and Labrador until the recession hit in the Eighties," he said. "They weren't supposed to be permanent, and they can't solve the problem."

Instead, Smee suggests that raising the minimum wage, adjusting income support for inflation, and considering universal basic income (UBI) are actions that could address food insecurity at its root.

"Governments are squeamish about giving lower-income people money," said Smee. "During the pandemic, plenty of folks needed help, and the federal government decided $2,000 a month was the lowest amount of income needed. That number is much higher than folks on income support or disability currently receive, and that needs to change."

Raising the minimum wage, Smee says, is another way to combat food insecurity effectively. "The last time a local "living wage" was calculated was for St. John's in 2018, and at that point, it landed at $18.85 an hour — that's probably low, now, but a good starting point."

Newfoundland and Labrador's minimum wage is currently $13.20 per hour.