Nearly two-thirds of suburbs in one major part of Sydney have no food stores at all. And in those that do, unhealthy food outlets outnumber healthy ones by more than six to one.
A country of plenty like Australia should be able to ensure no one is denied their right to adequate food. But food insecurity is on the rise, and we aren’t even properly monitoring the problem.
Inflation is driving up food prices and could have a severe impact on the health of Canadians. When the cost of food increases, it restricts the availability of nutritious foods for low-income people.
Affordability is a question of political and policy priorities. If we want a fair and adequate social security system, we cannot continue cutting the resources of those who already have the least.
Food insecurity is often talked about as an issue of individual responsibility. But our research suggests most people struggling to put food on the table are not the agents of their own misfortune.
Food insecurity is a social justice issue tied to social determinants of health. Historically marginalized people like 2SLGBTQ+ youth are at risk, and more likely to be food insecure during COVID-19.
One 11-year old girl told us she knows once rent is paid, there is almost nothing left over. So she never takes school excursion notes home, in case the cost is too much.
Soaring inflation in the US has been driven in part by large increases in the price of groceries – a burden that falls disproportionately on lower-income families.
While decent housing and food are fundamental human rights, they are often treated separately, and primarily as commodities. How can we tackle housing and food insecurity together, and better?
Child malnutrition is no stranger to high-income countries. In Canada and the U.S., food insecurity affects one in six children under 18, but policies to address the issue are still lacking.