| Issue/Objective |
Household food security is a significant public health concern that has worsened with increasing cost of living due to inflation, climate change, political instability, global, geopolitics, and the lingering effects of COVID-19. In Canada for example, 22.9% of Canadians lived in food insecure households in 2023, constituting 8.7 million Canadians, including 2.1 million children. Racialized groups, particularly immigrants and refugees are at heightened risk and in 2023; about 1 in 4 racialized newcomers in Canada were food insecure. Contributing factors to immigrants and refugees' vulnerability to food insecurity are - need for sociocultural adjustments in their host countries coupled with systemic resettlement challenges, which influence overall food security status and access to cultural/familiar foods. Cultural food security, which refers to the ability to acquire, afford, and eat the traditional foods of one's ethnic origin is an important social determinant of health, especially for migrants. It enables the continuation of food traditions and customs, which fosters cultural identity, improved health outcomes, and successful integration in the host country. Additionally, having access to culturally appropriate food serves as a lifeline for maintaining healthy dietary practices and fostering a sense of place in immigrants and refugees' post-migration experiences and resettlement. |
| Methodology/Approach |
In spite, its significance in the health and wellbeing of most migrant communities, cultural food insecurity has not been given the attention it deserves in the assessment of individuals and household food security. Existing studies food security rely on the FAO's four foundational dimensions (access, availability, utilization, stability) with limited to no focus on cultural appropriateness the foods and food initiatives available. Existing measures are criticized for their inability to capture the cultural dimensions shaping food preferences and diverse experiences of food insecurity. As a preliminary step to addressing this knowledge and substantive gap, we comprehensive review of existing food security indexes and qualitative interviews with immigrants in Canada to determine the existing indicators for assessing cultural food insecurity and the explore relevant indicators based on the narratives of the newcomers. |
| Results |
In this oral flash presentation, we will share about the process we undertook, the existing measures and the indicators that matter to the different immigrant populations with the goal of formulating a cultural food insecurity index. This is important in the creation of relevant tools for assessing food insecurity in a world that is experiencing increased migration. |
| Discussion/Conclusion |
This is important in the creation of relevant tools for assessing food insecurity in a world that is experiencing increased migration. |
| Presenters and affiliations |
Elizabeth Onyango University of Alberta |
