Background
The idea of forming a table on food security emerged following a meeting of Québec en Forme’s community mobilization coordinators in 2018.
A first meeting bringing together stakeholders from the FNQLHSSC, the First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Economic Development Commission and the Breakfast Club was held in April 2019 in order to explore some avenues of intervention and the objectives of a future regional table.
Considering the scope of the theme and the diversity of the actions and expertise required, the table decided to invite the First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Sustainable Development Institute, the First Nations Education Council and the Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services to its activities. This led to the creation of the First Nations and Inuit Food Security Table.
Mission
The First Nations and Inuit Food Security Table aims to promote, in the communities, a collective commitment to food security through the social economy, school nutrition, healthy lifestyles, fight against climate change and traditional food.
Food insecurity among First Nations in Quebec
According to a FNQLHSSC report[1], nearly one in four adults living with children is faced with food insecurity among First Nations communities in Quebec. The proportion of severely food insecure households is higher in rural areas that are not accessible by road.
In addition to remoteness, food insecurity can be attributed to a shortage of locally produced food, low purchasing power, distribution problems, a lack of culinary skills and knowledge about nutrition, etc. In the case of First Nations and Inuit, the decline in the consumption of traditional foods, caused by climate change among other things, also contributes to food insecurity for families. The Table believes that, as described in the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations definition of food security, First Nations and Inuit communities should be provided with “physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life.”
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic
The context of a global pandemic that follows the first reflections of the Table leads to an even greater awareness of our dependence on the globalized economy and on imported products. Perhaps this will give rise to the desire for more regional and community autonomy. This is a very promising opportunity to work on the development of the food autonomy and sovereignty of First Nations and Inuit communities.
Next steps
To ensure that the Table’s mandate is in line with the needs of First Nations and Inuit in Quebec, you were asked to complete a survey a few months ago to find out the needs and obtain a portrait of the situation regarding food security in the communities.
Following the receipt of the survey results, we plan to organize a virtual forum on food security and sovereignty. Stay tuned, as details will be released shortly. For more information, please email us at info@cssspnql.com.