Did you know about the food crisis in Canada?

Canada is facing a food crisis that requires immediate action. The facts are alarming:

  • 1 in 4 Canadian households are food insecure, meaning they worry about or cannot afford enough food.

  • 40% of Black and Indigenous households are food insecure, highlighting systemic oppression and deep inequities in our food systems.

  • 2 in 3 food insecure households have employment but still can't afford enough food, highlighting that this crisis affects working families.

  • Grocery prices are the #1 economic concern for Canadians, showing that voters care deeply about this issue already

  • Just 5 companies control over 80% of Canada's food retail market, limiting options and competition.

  • Grocery prices have increased 20% from 2020 to 2023, making food increasingly unaffordable.

*Sources below

What is Food Sovereignty?

Food sovereignty is when communities are free to shape their own food systems that are culturally appropriate, work with nature, and ensure fair livelihoods. Local and diverse food sources ensure resilience to shocks like flooding and trade wars while reducing vulnerability to corporate consolidation.

There is no food sovereignty without Indigenous food sovereignty. That's why we must honor and empower the first stewards of the land and water, and support them to reclaim food sovereignty in their community.

The Eat Think Vote Campaign

Eat Think Vote brings people together to talk about food issues during federal elections. Our approach is simple but powerful:

  1. Local organizations or individuals host events in their electoral districts

  2. Federal candidates are invited to participate & engage with voters

  3. Community members share their concerns and ideas directly with candidates

  4. These conversations put food issues on the table in the federal election

Our Impact

Launched in 2015, we've run Eat Think Vote in four electoral campaigns, changing how Canadian politicians talk about food:

  • 300+ organizations mobilized nationwide to host events

  • 11,000+ Canadians engaged in meaningful conversations about food policy

  • 380+ federal candidates participated in community discussions

  • 78 candidates who participated in Eat Think Vote were then elected to Parliament, bringing community conversations to the federal level

  • Achieved many policy victories, including Canada's first National Food Policy

Why This Matters Now

This is a critical moment for Canada's food future. We face three major challenges. Rising poverty leads to unprecedented food insecurity. Escalating food prices stretch household budgets. Growing trade tensions threaten our food supply. Our choices now will shape food systems for generations. That's why we need to keep pushing for a national conversation about food sovereignty.

Contact us

Interested in working together? Fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly. We can’t wait to hear from you!

*Sources:

PROOF, April 26, 2024. “New data on household food insecurity in 2023”. https://proof.utoronto.ca/2024/new-data-on-household-food-insecurity-in-2023/ 

Statistics Canada, 2023. “Food Price” Data Hub. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/en/subjects/agriculture_and_food/food/food_prices 

Reevely, David. November 12, 2024. “Food prices top Canadians’ financial anxieties.” The Logic. https://thelogic.co/news/exclusive/canada-food-prices-abacus-poll/ 

Competition Bureau, June 27, 2023. “Canada needs more competition: Competition Bureau Grocery Market Competition Report.” Government of Canada. https://competition-bureau.canada.ca/en/how-we-foster-competition/education-and-outreach/canada-needs-more-grocery-competition 

PROOF, 2023. “Who are most at risk of household food insecurity?” https://proof.utoronto.ca/food-insecurity/who-are-most-at-risk-of-household-food-insecurity/