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INDIGENOUS
HUNGER

NORTHERN AND

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Food insecurity affects Indigenous and Northern communities in Canada at much, much higher rates than others.

According to Proof Food Policy Research Institute, Food Secure Canada, and the Canadian Medical Association Journal,

Food security affects:

compared to:

12.7%

of Canadian households

of Indigenous households

of households in Nunavut

of households in Northern ontario

70.0%

57.0%

28.9%

HISTORICAL DRIVERS AND ROOT CAUSES

Food insecurity in Indigenous communities is related to:

  • Less consumption of traditional foods (wild meat, fish, plants). 

  • More consumption of store-bought food

  • Challenges with local food production

  • Poverty and a high cost of living

 

Social assistance rates are the same in the North as in the South - but compare a standard grocery list in Nunavut to one in the rest of Canada:

Item
Avg cost in Canada
Avg cost in Nunavut
2% milk
$2.30
$3.33
Oranges
$3.47
$7.10
Potatoes
$5.84
$12.86
Corn Flakes
$4.91
$9.12
Toothpaste
$2.61
$6.05
All-purpose flour
$5.00
$13.70
Carrots
$2.25
$6.90
Apples
$4.53
$7.26
Carrots
$2.25
$6.90
Flour
$5.00
$13.70
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