Food bank usage is a poor indicator of food insecurity: Insights from Canada
Authors: Rachel Loopstra and Valerie Tarasuk
Overview
Abstract (English)
This article reflects on the insights afforded by the regular measurement and monitoring of household food insecurity in Canada juxtaposed against information on food bank usage in the population. We show that the number and characteristics of people using food banks suggest that this population is a non-representative subset of the food insecure population. We also highlight how the number of people using food banks is insensitive to the level of household food insecurity in the population. Who goes to food banks is a function of the nature of food bank operations and the severity of food insecurity. Representative data on household food insecurity should be regularly collected and utilised to make policy recommendations for interventions to address the problem of insecure food access.
Abstract (French)
Please note that abstracts only appear in the language of the publication and might not have a translation.
Details
Type | Journal article |
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Author | Rachel Loopstra and Valerie Tarasuk |
Publication Year | 2015 |
Title | Food bank usage is a poor indicator of food insecurity: Insights from Canada |
Volume | 14 |
Journal Name | Social Policy and Society |
Number | 3 |
Pages | 443-456 |
Publication Language | English |
- Rachel Loopstra
- Rachel Loopstra and Valerie Tarasuk
- Food bank usage is a poor indicator of food insecurity: Insights from Canada
- Social Policy and Society
- 14
- 2015
- 3
- 443-456