Key takeaways:
- Coordinated, developed transit would improve the key to food, says Food First N.L. CEO.
- Kerri Abbott reviews daily hampers being readied for people in the Carbonear area.
- With the rising fuel prices, some people face challenges getting the food they require.
Non-profit organizations in Newfoundland and Labrador state the high gas price impacts food security in the region. Still, some believe expanded, and better integrated public transit could be a way to support it.
The chairperson of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, which operates the Carbonear Food Bank, said she’s concerned people in their 350-kilometer zone aren’t able to get the food they require.
“They can’t afford to put gas in their car to come,” Kerri Abbott said.
“By the time they settle their bills or keep the shelter over their head, keep some act of heat on, pay their light bills, they are down to less than $20.”
Abbott stated people are just trying to make their food last by having a couple of biscuits and tea for dinner.
Read more: Helmets are now compulsory for ATV riders in N.L.
She said volunteers are working to do more deliveries to aid, but the demographic of people accessing food banks have transformed.
“It’s 2022, and we are still struggling with food insecurity,” Abbott said.
“It is a concern point.… People who used to be donors are now coming to the food bank.”
Transportation is an a’ big wall’ to food
Josh Smee, CEO of Food First N.L., says individuals in rural regions usually have to travel farther to get food and are now paying more.
“There are many people in this province whose transportation is their big obstacle to accessing the food they require,” he said.
Source – cbc.ca
