Today begins the Welfare Food Challenge.  There is much you can do to raise attention without taking the challenge, but these three dietitians went the extra mile. GLV

Three Dietitians of Canada members are recognizing World Food Day by turning the spotlight on food security issues in British Columbia. For the over 300,000 people facing food insecurity in British Columbia, a lack of sufficient amounts of nutritious foods is a daily reality. Registered Dietitians Melissa Baker, Colleen McGuire and Kathy Romses will face the challenge of a weekly grocery budget of $26 as part of Raise the Rates’ Welfare Food Challenge.

“We are prepared to try firsthand to eat for $26 per week to bring attention to the challenges and barriers faced by people receiving income assistance,” explains Colleen McGuire, MA, RD.  Raise the Rates, a coalition concerned with the level of poverty and homelessness in British Columbia, estimates that after paying for rent, bus tickets, phone calls and basic hygiene needs, a single person living on income assistance in British Columbia is left with $26 to pay for weekly groceries. The most recent Cost of Eating Report, which has been published annually by Dietitians of Canada for over a decade, shows that over twice that amount is needed to purchase food for a healthy diet.

“Dietitians of Canada recognizes that individual and household food insecurity is a serious public health concern, with profound health effects.” says Sonya Kupka, Dietitian and BC Regional Executive Director for Dietitians of Canada. “Not being able to afford healthy food has significant consequences for individuals and families such as poor pregnancy outcomes, poor growth and development in children, learning deficits, poor school performance, and mental anguish.”

“This is not a question of a lack of nutrition knowledge or know-how. Stretching $26 to create a healthy diet for a week is next to impossible” says Melissa Baker, RD.  “The emotional stress, not to mention the effects of continued dietary deficiency on risk of chronic disease is troubling. Food insecurity is happening, we all need to be involved to create true change for British Columbians.”

About Dietitians of Canada
Dietitians of Canada is the national professional association for dietitians, representing close to 6,000 members at the local, provincial and national level. As the voice of the profession, DC strives for excellence in advancing health through food and nutrition.

For further information:

Sonya Kupka MEd, RD
Regional Executive Director, British Columbia
Dietitians of Canada
E: sonya.kupka@dietitians.ca Ph: 778-241-8337

Kate Comeau MSc, RD
Manager, Public Relations and Media
Dietitians of Canada
E: kate.comeau@dietitians.ca Ph: 514-572-3074