Food insecurity
Nearly 1 in 3 children in Alberta lives in a food-insecure home.
It’s time to evolve the way our society addresses this growing crisis.
Way too many kids can’t access enough healthy food every day because their families live on limited incomes.
287,000+
children across Alberta struggle with food insecurity.
30%
of kids in Alberta live in a food-insecure home.
447,500+
households in Alberta experience food insecurity.
When you’re just handed things, you’re kind of expected to just take what is given to you. When you’re able to go out and grocery shop and meal plan, it just makes you feel human.
Food insecurity harms every part of a kid’s life.
Physical
Poor diet quality increases the risk of developing chronic health conditions in adulthood such as mood disorders and diabetes.
Mental
Repeated experiences of hunger lead to more struggles with hyperactivity, depression, and anxiety.
Social
Food-insecure kids feel more shame and lower self-esteem that can lead to social isolation.
Academic
Food-insecure kids are more likely to repeat a grade, receive lower test scores, and struggle with reading.
Food-insecure children endure a variety of hardships that continually shift based on changes in their families’ financial situation.
A household can experience food insecurity suddenly, occasionally, frequently, or continually depending on fluctuations in their income and in the cost of other basic needs.
In Canada, we define food insecurity in three major categories based on the severity of the symptoms that a household experiences:
Food security
No income-related problems accessing food
Marginal food insecurity
Worrying about running out of food or having a limited selection of food because there is no money to buy more
Moderate food insecurity
Compromising the quality and/or quantity of food to make it last longer because there is no more money to buy more
Severe food insecurity
Reducing food intake or skipping meals because there is no money to buy more
With your help, we can achieve so much more!
Donate
Your generosity allows us to empower vulnerable people in our community with dignity and choice.
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One person with one idea and a network of supporters can make a big impact.
Spread the word
The more people who voice their support for our cause, the less kids who struggle with food insecurity.
Learn more about the evidence that informs our work
Key resources that provide more insight into food insecurity
Alberta Health Services
Household Food Insecurity Community Action Guide
Alberta Health Services
Household Food Insecurity in Alberta: A Backgrounder
Alberta Health Services
Alberta Health Services Household Food Insecurity: Lived Experiences
PROOF/University of Toronto
Household Food Insecurity in Canada
PROOF/University of Toronto
Household Food Insecurity in Canada Status Reports
Dietitians of Canada
Position Statement on Household Food Insecurity in Canada
Our innovative program is the first of its kind to tackle the root cause of food insecurity: inadequate income.
And innovation only thrives through the support of generous donors like you.