The food security coordinator for the United Way Bruce Grey says food insecurity is a hidden issue in many of our communities that affects far more people than most of us realize.
“We need to inform, to educate, to correct misconceptions, and demonstrate the size and scope of this issue,” Paul Wagenaar of the United Way Bruce Grey told Meaford councillors at their meeting on Monday.
Wagenaar made a presenation about food insecurity in Grey Bruce at Meaford’s council meeting Monday. He outlined efforts being undertaken to try and address the issue.
He says in the 8,000 square kilometre Grey Bruce region — a similar size to the GTA — there are currently 22 food banks, 19 meal programs, and 15 community gardens. These are mostly run by volunteers.
Wagenaar adds there are several issues arising from this current format including a lack of multi-year funding and a significant number of the volunteers are in the vulnerable age group for Covid.
Mayor Barb Clumpus acknowledged the staff and volunteers who help with the food insecurity in the region but realizes there are some issues in that area as well.
“All the volunteer help is really quite amazing but I know that is the drop in the bucket when it comes to food insecurity within the two counties,” says Clumpus.
As there are over 50 local organizations, a United Way report presented by Wagenaar says there are few methods to move healthier food quickly and efficiently as each organization has their own system, independent from each other.
It was also pointed out the stigma and privacy issues associated with food insecurity.
“For people embarrassed that they require assistance, this is a major obstacle to overcome for vulnerable people who are trying to maintain their dignity and privacy,” says the report.
The statistics surrounding this stigma show less than one in four people who are insecure, actually use the food banks. Some of the reasons for this include pride, dignity, embarrassment, and the feeling others need the support more than them.
With food banks being only part of the solution, the report says clients will typically in some communities, only get food for three or four days, be limited to one visit per month, find limited choices, and will have to prove they are “poor enough.”
Wagenaar says the United Way is attempting to collaborate with local food banks, community meal programs, community gardens, and other community partners, in the goal of facilitating collaboration while maintaining the dignity and respect of the clients.
The report says the United Way needed an easy to use tool, which could assist decision makers in providing up-to-date information.
A concept was brought to the Nuclear Innovation Institute, with Nuclear Promise X (NPX) actualizing and bringing about the concept. They received support from the Community Foundation Grey Bruce and Bruce Power, creating FoodBruceGrey in six weeks.
The tool created shows the size and scope of the food insecurity issue in the region with clear and concise data. It was made available to any level of government, media, organizations, and residents, while also starting conversations on who is hungry in local communities.
Wagenaar says the data has been used to identify the number of children in need for each community for several local support projects.
Food organizations are also using the data to support grant applications.
Saugeen Shores, Southgate, West Grey, Chatsworth, and Arran-Elderslie have already created permanent links to the tool on their municipal websites.
Wagenaar says they need to continue to support of all organizations in the collection of data and the sharing of knowledge and resources, as well as expanding food rescue to more communities.