Population and Public Health Services: Food Security

To be healthy, people must have enough to eat. However for some people there are barriers that prevent them from getting enough safe and nutritious food. These people do not have food security.

According to the World Health Organization: "Food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life."

The Public Health Nutritionists of Saskatchewan have published reports on the cost of Healthy Eating in Saskatchewan. For more information on the cost of Healthy Eating in Saskatchewan:

• Click here for The Cost of Healthy Eating in Saskatchewan 2009.
  
  
• Click here for The Cost of Healthy Eating in Saskatchewan 2006.
  
  
• Click here for The Food Cost Calculator for Saskatchewan, based on the 2006 costs
  
  
• Click here for The Cost of Healthy Eating in Saskatchewan 2001

Population and Public Health Services has released a report on early childhood food security with recommendations on ensuring food security. The research was designed to explore the food security issues, challenges and coping strategies of young, low income families in Regina. Interviews were conducted with community informants from many agencies and community organizations and with family caregivers of children less than five years of age.

The study was funded by the Health Services and Research Utilization Commission (HSURC). The research was conducted in Regina in collaboration with the College of Nutrition and Pharmacy at the University of Saskatchewan and with the assistance of community research partners, including the University of Regina.

More information and a hard copy of the full report is available by calling Eunice Misskey at 766-7724 or e-mail eunice.misskey@rqhealth.ca.