Social Determinants of Health – Food Security
The following information is compiled and presented by Quality of Care NL, an applied health and social systems research and evaluation program aimed at improving social and health outcomes in Newfoundland and Labrador. This page is best viewed in full screen on a computer. Click here to download a PDF version of the information presented below.
Food security is the adequate and secure access to nutritious, safe, and culturally appropriate food. Food insecurity is the inadequate or insecure access to these types of food due to financial constraints.
Food insecurity is a serious public health problem. It can have significant implications for people’s health and well-being beyond just poor nutrition and diet. Individuals who are food insecure may be at an increased risk for a variety of negative health outcomes (i.e., diabetes, obesity, heart disease, mental health disorders and other chronic conditions). Food insecurity can also make it difficult for individuals to manage existing health problems and can lead to worsening conditions.
Canadian Income Survey
In Canada, food insecurity is measured through the Household Food Security Survey Module of the Canadian Income Survey (CIS). Households are classified into one of four categories:
- Food secure (no indication of any income-related problems of food access)
- Marginally food insecure (worry about running out of food and/or limited food selection due to a lack of money for food)
- Moderately food insecure (compromise in quality and/or quantity of food due to a lack of money for food)
- Severely food insecure (miss meals, reduce food intake and, at the most extreme, go day(s) without food)
- Overall, from 2019 to 2023, household food insecurity has increased in NL and across Canada. Food insecurity has been higher in NL compared to Canada during this time.
- From 2019 to 2023, the rate of food insecurity increased by 37.0% in NL (36.3% for Canada).
- In 2023, NL ranked fifth for household food insecurity when compared to the other provinces (1=best and 10=worst).
Canadian Income Survey
- In 2023, NL had the highest rate of severe food insecurity among the Canadian Provinces.
- Overall, from 2019 to 2023, the percentage of children living in food-insecure households increased for all provinces (except QC).
- From 2019 to 2023, the rate of food insecurity in children under 18 years of age increased by 13.9% in NL (27.9% for Canada).
- In 2023, NL ranked fifth for the proportion of children under 18 years of age living in food-insecure households (1=best and 10=worst).
Newfoundland & Labrador Nutritious Food Basket
The Newfoundland and Labrador Nutritious Food Basket (NLNFB) consists of 61 foods from the 2019 Canada’s Food Guide. The prices of specific amounts of these foods, combined with the nutrient needs of individuals and families determines the cost of the basket.
The basket is calculated based on a family of four, made up of a man and a woman (31-50 years), a boy (14-18 years) and a girl (4-8 years) and provides estimates for both urban and rural locations in Newfoundland and Labrador. Urban is defined as communities with a population of 5,000 and over. All other areas are defined as rural.
- Food costs have consistently been highest in the Labrador-Grenfell region (with the highest being on the North Coast of Labrador) of the province.
- From 2021 to 2023, the cost of a nutritious food basket has increased by 21% in NL.
- 21% in Eastern
- 19% in Central
- 19% in Western
- 23% in Labrador-Grenfell
Food Banks Canada Report: HungerCount 2024
Since 1997, Food Banks Canada has conducted the HungerCount, a cross-sectional, census-type survey of most food bank agencies, organizations and programs. The HungerCount provides a point-in-time snapshot of food bank use in Canada.
According to survey respondents, the top three reasons people accessed a food bank in March 2024 were:
- Cost of Food
- Cost of Housing
- Low Wages/Delayed Wages
- While food bank usage in NL decreased by almost 8% from 2023 to 2024, overall usage from 2019 to 2024 has increased by 33% in NL.
Food Banks Canada Report: HungerCount 2024
Newfoundland and Labrador Food Bank User Statistics:
- 28.4% of food bank clients in NL are children (< 18 years) and 6.9% are seniors (65+ years).
- Single-person households account for 53.9% of food bank clients in NL (the highest rate amongst Canadian provinces).
- 62.2% of food bank clients in NL were receiving social assistance (the highest rate amongst the Canadian provinces) and 18.9% were either employed or receiving a pension.
- Renters and social housing tenants make up approximately 74% of food bank clients in NL.
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