Printable Connecting the Dots March 2022

CONNECTING THE DOTS The connection between poverty and food security Housing and Income/ Homelessness Employment Food Insecurity POVERTY Early Childhood Social Isolation Development Mental Health and Inclusion and Addictions Stigma Transportation Access to Service A collaboration between Eastern Zone Community Health Boards and Mental Health and Addictions Health Promotion team. Ingredients for a Healthier Tomorrow Policy Reducing household food insecurity in Canada requires policy intervention Intervention to address problems with inadequate and insecure income that underpins food insecurity. Guaranteed With a guaranteed basic income many families are more able Basic Income to provide basics for their families, meaning families won’t have to choose between paying rent, buying groceries, and heating their homes. There is considerable support for a basic income. A recent poll demonstrates that 3 in 5 Canadians support implementing a basic income. School Food A universal school food program would enable all children to have Program access to healthy food at school, enabling them to be prepared for learning. Nova Scotian children consume one third of their daily food every day at school. Community + The issue of food insecurity requires a collaborative approach with communities Government  and all levels of government working together to ensure everyone has access to healthy food.

Did you know? Poverty and food insecurity rates in Atlantic Canada Food insecurity is racialized Poverty and food insecurity rates in Atlantic Canada are Food insecurity Is two to three times higher among Black and among the highest in Canada and have increased during the Indigenous versus white households, even after other COVID-19 pandemic. sociodemographic characteristics are taken into account. Student nutrition programs are beneficial Student nutrition programs have positive impacts on children’s mental health, including reductions in behavioral and emotional problems, bullying, aggression, anxiety, and depression. Food price increase Food prices jumped six and a half percent hinoJuasninugacryos2t0s2, p2,atnhdeebmigicgejosbt ilnocsrseeass,eanindmriosirnegthfoaondacdoesctsahdaev, aecfcoorcrdedinmg tooreStpaetoisptilcestCoaunsaedfao.oFdoboadnks. Banks Canada says a combination of high Community Poverty Rates by Census Area = in our zone 34.7% 33.7% 33.5% 31.7% 29.8% 29.4% 29.3% 28.6% 26.7% 26.6% 25.5% 24.7% 24.4% 24.3% 23.6% 22.7% 30 20 20.8% 19.9% 10 0 CapRAiencnhBarDmipeotgolnobidyns CumVbiecrtloarnida YarQmueoeutnsh GuLyCSIsuohnlbnvecleoehPrbnireocubnstrutueognrseseuhgr Kings Hants AntiHgaolinfisahx Sources: Valerie Tarasuk & Herb Emery. Food Insecurity Policy Research, Household food insecurity in Canada, Part 2: Public policy responses and solutions. Lesley Frank, Laura Fisher, Christine Saulnier. 2021 Report Card on Child and Family Poverty in Nova Scotia.  The Coalition for Healthy School Food. For a Universal Healthy School Food Program. The Good Food Network Christine Saulnier & Charles Plante. (2021) The Cost of Poverty in the Atlantic Provinces  Krystalle Ramlakhan. (2022) As food prices soar, communities find innovative ways to feed more people. CBC News.