Curtailing the Impact of Rising Food Insecurity
Since the beginning of COVID-19 in 2020 and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022, there has been a rapid increase in inflation seen across the globe. The rise is largely due to supply chain issues, both from the pandemic and further deepened by the conflict abroad ("How Much More Expensive Are Food Prices Becoming in Canada?" 2022). Inflation impacts the wider economic growth and decreases the purchasing power of consumers, which implies that inflation affects their consumption of basic necessities such as food, water, and clothing, as well as shelter and transportation.
Food Insecurity, Inequality and Homelessness
The average middle-class Canadian may not notice the impact of inflation, but it has been especially harsh on those experiencing homelessness and low-income individuals, who must choose between paying rent and feeding their family (Press, 2022). This is peculiarly the case for homeless youth transitioning out of the foster care system, who are at risk concerning finding a place to lay their heads overnight and related searches for basic necessities such as food and clothing, which can be burdensome. Food insecurity and lack of proper shelter have a precarious and long-lasting effect on the health and general well-being of homeless youth. REST Centres believes that "a reliable shelter and sustained food availability are bedrocks for a dignified life" as enshrined in fundamental human rights.
Not everyone is equally affected by inflation, even in low-income and homeless areas. According to food insecurity researchers at the University of Toronto, and organizations such as Food Share, black households are almost four times more likely to be food insecure than white households (Dhunna & Tarasuk, 2021; Food Share, 2021). Additionally, 36.6% of black children live in food insecure households versus only 12.4% of white children. Over time, as these children grow up into young adults, the effects of food insecurity seriously impact their physical and mental health (Li, 2021; Food Share, 2021). These youth are also highly likely to be dealing with the threat of housing insecurity amidst food shortages in their households. Research has shown that "food insecurity is tightly linked to low income, low education, renting, having children, being a lone parent, being on social assistance or employment insurance, all of which play important roles in the financial circumstances of a household" (Li, 2021).
When Black households and Black youth in the community are disproportionately affected by food insecurity, we must question the factors that contribute to such outcomes as a community. Moreover, we should investigate and leave no stone unturned to influence a positive and impactful change at the individual, household, and community levels.
Food Insecurity and Shelter Insecurity Go Hand in Hand
Studies have repeatedly shown that homeowners are less likely to be food insecure than renters. Homeownership typically indicates greater wealth and can provide an asset to borrow against in times of unexpected financial difficulty (Li, 2021). Even so, black homeowners are still more food insecure than white renters. This shows that a core element of food insecurity, and subsequently housing insecurity, is because of the anti-Black racism that continues to be perpetuated through Canadian institutions in the way black youth and adults secure jobs, and through liveable wages and property, etc. (Li, 2021). The way that black individuals are consistently the least home and food secure despite having similar occupations or qualifications, is an indication that racism must be addressed in the same vein as food and shelter insecurity.
Racial Dimensions of Food Insecurity in the Peel Region
The Peel Region 2021 Economic Pulse mentions the disparate effect of the pandemic in areas of accommodation and food services, particularly for youth (Peel Region, 2022). The Community Foundation of Mississauga, 2021 Vital Signs, reported that during the pandemic in 2020, there were 30.9% of youth aged 15–24 in the Peel region who were unemployed, compared to 13.9% in 2019. Relatedly, information available from 3,880 COVID-19 cases about race in the Peel Region between April 13 and July 15, 2020, showed that visible minorities accounted for 63% of the regional population and consisted of 77% of COVID-19 cases (Peel Region, 2020). The black population constituted 13.6% and contributed to 9.5% of the COVID-19 cases (Peel Region 2020). Although no attempt is made to establish a causal relationship between COVID-19, unemployment, failing income, and food insecurity, there is an observed linkage (Community Foundation of Mississauga, 2021).
Homeless youth lack adequate funding to make provisions for their rent and basic living, which affects their ability to save for education and development. As a result, food and shelter must be complementary.
Response to Curtailing Food Insecurity in the Peel Region
REST acknowledges the relentless collaborative response between the Peel Region, private sectors, and non-governmental organizations helping to curtail food insecurity and homelessness in the region. In addressing food insecurity, the Mississauga Food Bank recorded an increase of 64% of clients because of the pandemic (Community Foundation of Mississauga, 2021). REST Centres’ main goal is to assist the black youth in our communities to achieve housing security. Yet, we understand that housing and food insecurity are intimately linked issues that should be addressed together. In 2021, REST witnessed an increase of 180% in client intake with respect to the provision of rent subsidies under the Bridge of Hope Program, which comes with the provision of grocery cards and wrap-around services. Under the Bare Necessities program, a total of 195 youths were supported with bi-weekly grocery cards between $50.00 and $100.00 in 2021. This support goes into the provision of food and other related living expenses for the youth. The increased demand for food support from REST is expected to continue into 2022 and even beyond.
A $50 or $100 gift card may appear insignificant in the context of today's economy, but the amounts given to the youth each month have made a significant difference in their living situations.
“Personally, I’m grateful to the REST program for providing grocery cards. It's been very helpful, especially when it comes to budgeting for food, which is one of my essentials in life." -Lunkulu
"I am a student who has not yet found a job. It is normally a disaster because I am not sure what the end of each month holds for me. Sometimes things were terrible, as I had nothing in the fridge. Fortunately, REST helps me with the grocery cards, which enables me to save money on stuff and be able to keep food in the fridge at all times. I just want to say a big thank you. Because of your support, I managed to get by. - Aissatou
“Being a young student who moved out of her parents' house has been hard financially, especially with rent being so high. However, the Bare Necessities Program and the grocery cards have really been an amazing help with taking off that financial stress of having to pay for groceries, which takes a load off my shoulders. I am very grateful for them and for everything else REST has provided me.” - Chelsa McLaughlin
"The grocery cards may seem small, but they’ve become a really invaluable resource to me! Having that extra $100 a month to put into savings or to allocate to another need in my life relieves a lot of financial and emotional stress. I especially enjoy it when we receive cards for a variety of locations (say, President’s Choice one period and Walmart the next) because then I can change how I use the cards depending on what store I go to. This helps me plan what groceries to get from one store and what to get from another based-on deals and timing, a level of independence and autonomy that I have really come to enjoy. " - Mya
The consensus among our youth is that grocery gift cards have helped them greatly in their pursuit of a more stable life. Almost all have mentioned that the cards allow them to save money rather than have to spend it on necessities that would otherwise not be as expensive, if not for the economic challenges. Small spending and conserving wages are keys to opening the doors to secure housing and forming a more independent lifestyle. Therefore, we ask that you share what you have read about food insecurity with others, and we encourage you to donate to REST Centres to help us continue to provide funds for our Bare Necessities Program. Through your participation, we can curb the continuing devastating effects of COVID-19, the impact of the current Russian-Ukrainian war, and the linked socio-economic burden on our youth and be able to contribute to their security and future.
References
Canada Food Inflation—April 2022 Data—1951-2021 Historical—May Forecast—Chart. (n.d.). Retrieved May 9, 2022, from https://tradingeconomics.com/canada/food-inflation
Dhunna, S., & Tarasuk, V. (2021). Black–white racial disparities in household food insecurity from 2005 to 2014, Canada. Canadian Journal of Public Health, 112(5), 888–902. https://doi.org/10.17269/s41997-021-00539-y
Food Share. (2021, May). Fact Sheets. PROOF. https://proof.utoronto.ca/resources/fact-sheets/
How much more expensive are food prices becoming in Canada? (2022, March 21). Restobiz. https://www.restobiz.ca/how-much-more-expensive-are-food-prices-becoming-in-canada/
Li, T. (2021, October 26). When it comes to tackling food insecurity, tackling anti-Black racism is an important part of the puzzle. PROOF. https://proof.utoronto.ca/anti-black-racism/
Press, J. (2022, March 18). Most Canadians are cutting back their food spending as inflation soars: Poll - National | Globalnews.ca. Global News. https://globalnews.ca/news/8692409/inflation-food-spending-canada/