IH dietitians focusing on food security for a healthier future

Recently, COVID-19 and climate change events have brought food issues to the forefront. Supply chain issues and labour shortages have highlighted weaknesses in our global food system. Forest fires, heat domes, floods and mudslides have disrupted our local food supply.

A key part of food security is that everyone has access to food that is affordable, culturally preferable, nutritious and safe. Early in the pandemic, IH public health dietitians and environmental health officers worked with community agencies to help meal programs and emergency food sources stay open for the many people who depend on them.

Some farmers’ markets and community produce sharing programs were at risk of not opening. Public Health Dietitian Linda Boyd recalls helping Enderby’s Harvest Hut produce-sharing program find its way through health and safety rules: “Keeping the Harvest Hut running was important for the community, not only to access the local vegetables and fruit, but to keep this valuable point of community connection.”

During the pandemic, public health dietitians helped support school food programs and food-based learning. Working with colleagues across the province, IH public health dietitian Simone Jennings developed a resource on Food Based Learning: “Over the years many schools have embraced hands-on learning using food and cooking. When COVID hit, many restrictions were placed on schools. We wanted to help schools understand the provincial health and safety guidelines so they could continue food-based learning in the classroom.”

In their daily work, public health dietitians support community groups working to strengthen our food system. The Kamloops Food Policy Council, the Central Kootenay Food Policy Council and the North Okanagan Land to Table Network are just a few community groups working hard to make sustainable changes. 

Policies that support local food systems and help ensure all British Columbians can afford to eat a healthy diet are powerful ingredients of change. IH public health dietitians help bring attention to policy solutions like these to all levels of government.

Visit our Nutrition and Food Security page