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57 per cent of Nunavut households continue to experience food insecurity

Department of Family Services notes 'still much work to be done'

Food insecurity remains high in Nunavut. According to the 2017/18 Canadian Community Health Survey 70 per cent of Nunavut's children live in food insecure households and 57 per cent of houses in the territory remain food insecure.

While these rates are high in Nunavut, a number of organizations work towards addressing this issue.

According to the Department of Family Services works with various other departments in the Government of Nunavut (GN) on food security-related programming.

The Department of Health assists in raising awareness on nutrition and community wellness.
Additionally, the Department of Environment helps provide support to harvesters who in turn help provide food for their respective communities.

The Department of Economic Development and Transportation also helps address food security through their country food distribution program.

"We continue to partner with NTI on the Nunavut Food Security Coalition and are currently working to renew the Nunavut Food Security Coalition Action Plan and identify new innovations and community supports," stated a Department of Family Services spokesperson.

There have also been increased investments toward harvester support initiatives through the Nutrition North Program as well as increased investment via Covid-19 emergency funds for food security.

"While new resources have become available in recent years there is still much work to be done."

FACT FILE:

Food security initiatives run by the Department of Family Services in 2020

  • Funded 12 community-based food security projects across 10 communities focused on youth hunter mentorship and school or community cooking classes; one project will take place in multiple communities
  • Funded breakfast programs at Nunavut Arctic College
  • Published the Ilitaqsiniq’s Niqitsialiurniq Manual, which can guide communities in developing and running food and literacy skill programs
  • Will undertake research related to gaps in food regulation in Nunavut such as food pricing
  • Seek resources and co-ordinate capacity building initiatives to help communities establish and strengthen community based food organizations
Source: GN Department of Family Services