A new report on food insecurity estimates about 120 children in town are living in poverty, a jump of 30 children from a year ago.
In a presentation to Oxford Town Council on Food Insecurity, researchers with the Collaborative Community Food Network pilot program brought the concerning news to councillors’ attention. Arriel Tucker and Colleen Dowe shared the results of a year’s worth of community consultations around food insecurity in Cumberland County. [View Presentation on YouTube]
Food Security is defined as “When all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life”.
According to the CCFN’s presentation, Nova Scotia has the highest provincial rate of food insecure households.
The neighbourhood discussions held in 2024 that served as the foundation for this report revealed common challenges faced by all communities with regard to food insecurity. Among them: inadequate household income; lack of public & affordable transportation; food ‘deserts’ (lack of nearby options where food can be purchased / obtained); and the rising cost of living. Oxford Mayor Greg Henley called the presentation “eye-opening.”
Among the positive aspects of the communities that could help address food insecurity for families, were the presence of paid municipal staff members dedicated to food and agriculture, such as the horticulturalist position hired in Oxford in the Summer of 2024, which was responsible for”maintaining the community gardens and teaching the public gardening life skills.” That was as nine-week term position, and as of yet it is not known whether it will be available this year. The presence of community gardens while seen positively, has at least in Oxford seen inconsistent uptake in use and care by members of the public.
The CCFN report concludes with a number of suggestions for how communities might address the issue of food insecurity:
- Advocate for Guaranteed Basic Income and increased investment in public and social programs, such as non-market housing to reduce the cost of living.
- Collaborate with partners in Cumberland County to explore transportation options that improve accessibility options throughout our community.
- Support accessible social connection opportunities, such as community suppers, to celebrate diverse interests, values and traditions in our communities.
- Add food related activities, such as community gardening, into summer student recreation programs.
- Advocate to support paid positions focused on food security initiatives by collaborating with partners throughout Cumberland County.
Data from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA-Halifax) was employed in the CCFN’s analysis. The CCPA’s 2024 Report card on child and family poverty in Nova Scotia is a sobering read about the realities facing far too many Nova Scotian families.
The Collaborative Community Food Network pilot programme operates out of Maggie’s Place, a resource centre for families located in Amherst.
