Do you have trouble putting enough food on the table or do you have difficulty affording the nutritious groceries you need?
If you struggle to access the food you need to meet your dietary needs, you’re not alone. Groceries are expensive and healthy choices are often especially pricey. Many people struggle with food insecurity. It is a serious public health issue. Limited access to food affects children’s physical and mental health, and increases adults’ risk of developing chronic diseases, including heart disease and diabetes.
What is food insecurity? Some examples include when someone:
- goes hungry by eating less food or skipping meals (sometimes not eating for an entire day),
- can’t afford to buy a variety of healthy foods that meets their dietary needs, or
- are stressed about running out of groceries before they have money to buy more.
Not having food can put stress and strain on you and your family. If you are in the situation where you are struggling to put food on the table, reach out to the supports available to help.
What supports are available to help?
You don’t have to go hungry or be stressed about where you’re getting your next meal. In New Brunswick, there are resources in communities across the province to help individuals and families get the healthy food they need. These include:
- food banks and programs: provide free groceries and vouchers to people on a low income;
- community meal programs: focus on people on a low income and those who are homeless or unemployed;
- food cooperatives, group buying programs: food purchasing clubs, community centres and other organizations that offer discount groceries;
- food programs for seniors or people with disabilities: Meals on Wheels, community organizations and churches that provide support to maintain healthy eating habits, meal delivery, grocery shopping assistance and in-home meal preparation;
- food delivery services: food banks and grocery stores bring food to your door when you’re homebound;
- baby food/formula programs: community organizations and government programs that help with food and items for babies and children;
- community gardens: organizations that help provide access to garden plots, tools and advice on growing your own food, or assisting with transportation to pick fresh produce directly from local farms;
- school meal programs: community programs geared toward food for school-age children;
- cooking classes and dietician support: organizations and grocery stores that offer programs that teach you how to prepare nutritious and affordable meals;
- community organizations that help people access food: food coalitions, food rescue programs, foundations, and other agencies/services that focus on poverty and hunger reduction.
- discount grocery apps: The Flashfood app allows you to buy heavily discounted produce and other food items directly from grocery stores using your smartphone.
How to access these food programs
Even knowing these programs and services exist can still leave you feeling overwhelmed and confused about how to get the food you need. There are resources to help make this process as easy as possible for you, including:
- 211: Dial 2-1-1 or visit 211.ca to find out about government and community food programs. The website has an entire section on food programs and how to access numerous services. To find information about food in your area, first enter your location in the search bar and then either: a) Enter a search term such as “food bank,” or b) Click on one of the topics listed, including “food banks and referrals” or “community meals.”
- Food for All NB: Click here to find information about food access.
- New Brunswick Food Depot Alimentaire: Click here to find a map and list of towns and cities with food banks across the province through the New Brunswick Association of Food Banks. Find your municipality to learn what food resources are available where you live.
- Community Inclusion Networks: Click here to find a map of New Brunswick and then click onto your region to find contact information for your area. These networks can provide information about food security.
- Your faith organization or church: A leader can tell you if the organization supports a food program, soup kitchen or other service geared toward improving food security.
Sources
https://foodforallnb.ca/foodmap
https://www.wellnessnb.ca/resources/food-for-all-nb/
https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/departments/esic/community_inclusionnetwork.html
