Food security, in a nutshell -pun intended- means having the money to make sure you have enough to eat. With financial security, it’s easy to shop for necessities, but do we only grab what we need to survive? Of course not! We enjoy food, we treat ourselves and share meals with family and friends.
Enjoying food, and how it is tied to our identity, culture, and history, says something about us and connects us with our loved ones, and it’s something we celebrate. Every day of the year praises our love of eating. In March, some food celebrations include March 3rd - Canadian bacon day. On March 5th, we pay homage to flapjacks and the cheese doodle. On March 14th, pi day, we indulge in pie. If sweets aren’t for you, March 14th is also national chip day.
Food is well worth celebrating, but what happens when we can’t afford to fill our shelves?
Food insecurity happens when we don’t have the means to buy enough food and depending on the severity, it may mean worrying about running out of food, compromising the quality or quantity of food we buy, or skipping meals due to affordability.
The issues around access to food has become a chronic problem for older adults, and food insecurity is on the rise for seniors in Southern Alberta. Research shows that food insecurity for older Canadians is also connected to the physical ability to access food and prepare meals. Social factors like a sense of belonging and connection to a community can impact how each of us relate to food. Without help from friends, family, and community to shop and share our love of food, it may lose its appeal, especially if it’s a challenge to navigate a kitchen or a neighbourhood that isn’t adapted to the needs of seniors.
The cascading effects of food insecurity results in poorer health, weaker immune systems, and depression. Without the means to buy the foods you need and like, motivation and energy levels can run flat. This can spike feelings of anxiety and sadness around meals, making the whole process, from shopping, to carrying food home, storing it, then preparing it, especially tiresome.
There are several places seniors can turn to for food support. One of them, called Thrive Food Security, is housed in the Unison at Kerby building. Thrive runs the Kerby Centre Market, offers a Grocery Delivery service, and supports six Community Bread Markets. Thrive operates primarily through the support of volunteers, and generous donations from the community. The goal is to reduce hunger in the senior community by providing food that’s nutritious and enjoyable, and support connections that can help diminish isolation. Meeting people can, after all, potentially lead to the pleasure of shared meals.
The Kerby Centre Market is set up like a store and gives clients the ability to choose the foods they need and enjoy, giving clients the dignity of choice. The market provides clients who are 50+ with up to three days of fresh, frozen and non-perishable items, including staples like milk, eggs, fruits & vegetables, meat and bread.
What we would love to know is how our community enjoys food, because we would like to enjoy it with you!
Starting this spring, Unison will be asking for recipes that we can share with our community. By sharing recipes, we can learn a bit more about each other. Food is part of our wellbeing, our history, and our culture. A meal that is meaningful to you offers a way to re-embrace the parts of food that often slip away when we are faced with difficult decisions at the store.
Share a bit about your love of food and submit your recipe today! You may be featured in Unison News’ new monthly recipe column, and in a collection of recipes and stories that will help support the Kerby Centre Market. To learn more about Thrive’s programs, please email thrived@unisonalberta.com.
If you’d like to donate to the Kerby Centre Market, the only senior-specific food bank in Calgary,
visit unisonalberta.com/donate