Many people think of food security as the opposite of food insecurity, which refers to a household’s ability to afford the food they need. However, food security goes one step further to encompass the structure and operation of our food systems.
Diapers are not a luxury. They are a critical part of a baby’s life but for parents already struggling to make ends meet, the cost can be overwhelming. This month we look at the importance of helping our most vulnerable during the Bare Bottoms Diaper Drive.
Many of us have done it: Find an unopened box of pasta at the back of the pantry, see that it’s past its best before date, and throw it in the trash or compost to be safe. But is that really necessary? “Best before” and other food labelling terms can cause confusion, and many are surprised to learn that best before dates are simply a guideline, not a rule set in stone.
This past year has continued to challenge Calgarians from all sides. There is increasing demand month over month, year over year. The economic upheaval continues to impact so many lives, in so many ways. Social, cultural, and environmental challenges are manifesting in a city that has not seemed to catch a break since 2008’s global financial meltdown and the subsequent 2015 Alberta downturn.
The face of hunger can be anyone: our friends, our neighbours, our family. Anyone, from any background, and in every neighbourhood. All sizes of households: wage earners, EI recipients, students and veterans. We know it is important to build a picture of who is coming to the food bank as it alerts us to changes in the community.