The North End Food Security Network
    By Margo Malabar, reprinted from The Point Community News, March 2009

The North End Food Security Network (NEFSN) was established in October 2007 and includes representatives from a variety of community groups. Our mission is to establish a network in the North End of Winnipeg that is able to provide education and resources to all residents, with the ultimate goal of creating a stronger, more sustainable and equitable food system. To date, NEFSN has compiled an inventory of food security activities and needs through community consultations and a forum.

The network's vision is a community where there is nutritious, safe and culturally appropriate food available for all residents, access to local food production, adequate and appropriate knowledge of healthy food choices, and ongoing care and improvement of the environment.

'Food Security' is defined locally and globally as meaning that:

We know that poverty is a basic indicator for food insecurity. For families barely surviving on a low-income budget, acquiring the types of foods they want and need in sufficient quantities is a serious challenge, which leads to a dependence on community-based food initiatives or charitable donation centres. A representative from Winnipeg Harvest states that over 1000 families in North Winnipeg proper use their food banks and that these people also go to food banks in other areas of Winnipeg to meet their needs.

Research shows that the people at highest risk for being food-insecure are those receiving social assistance, low-income households, lone mothers, children and urban Aboriginal Peoples. Point Douglas demographics show higher percentages of low-income households, children, and urban Aboriginal Peoples than Winnipeg's average.

During our community consultations, several representatives from community groups stated that the cost of housing affects the amount of money that residents have available to purchase food. This ultimately affects food choices. Residents often use their food money to cover rent.

Another common concern of low-income residents was the lack of accessible, affordable and nutritious food in their community. The Point Douglas population has a higher percentage of people who rely on public transportation or walking as their main means of getting groceries than the city of Winnipeg in general. Inability to access low-cost foods increases food insecurity.

Initiatives such as food boxes, community gardens, collective kitchens, nutrition classes, accessible grocery stores with lower prices, and better food choices have been found to increase personal capacity to improve food security, to enhance community cohesion, and are initiatives that NEFSN is striving to facilitate.

Community gardening promotes physical activity and allows individuals and families access to fresh, nutritious food that supports health. Community gardening is a social activity where people can meet others and build a sense of community. Community gardens improve the urban environment by re-greening vacant and other lots and by enhancing the beauty of the community and creating a sense of pride in the neighbourhood.

Gardening participation builds skills and creates positive community development that is widely accessible to a diverse range of people. Partnerships between the City, other levels of government and community organizations create additional community benefits through fostering youth employment, volunteer activity, and the restoration of natural areas.

Community gardens also help prevent crime. Police departments have recognized local gatherings as an effective type of community-based crime prevention strategy. The Green Institute reports that increased green space has been linked with a decrease in crime. this benefits the whole community.

All residents who live and work in the designated North End communities, but in particular low-income families, single parents, youth, seniors, newcomers to Canada, and Aboriginal persons will benefit from the food they are able to grow in community gardens and the food they are able to provide for their families through better food purchasing decisions and opportunities. The community will benefit by having a greater number of residents who are more able to be self-sufficient and who have an increased capacity for community engagement.

For additional information on NEFSN, food security issues, and upcoming workshops please phone Margo at 221-1046.