Child hunger rates soaring highest in Newfoundland and Labrador schools
Summer's here, and educators in Newfoundland and Labrador are expressing concerns that many students will go without nourishment during the vacation due to the absence of school lunch programs. Trent Langdon, the president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers' Association, shares that teachers are observing this firsthand.
"A hungry kid reduces morale, it crashes energy levels, and it makes it tough for them to get out of bed in the morning," Langdon explained in a recent interview. He adds that more teachers are bringing extra snacks to pass along to students in need.
According to a report from Proof, a research group based at the University of Toronto, nearly 40% of children under 18 in Newfoundland and Labrador and New Brunswick were living in food-insecure households in 2024. This alarming statistic places the province among the Canadian provinces with the highest rates of food insecurity.
The consequences of food insecurity go beyond just physical health. As the Proof website puts it, "it is a serious public health problem, a marker of pervasive material deprivation, and a matter of public policy."
Anti-poverty non-profit Food First Newfoundland and Labrador has called on the provincial government to reconsider its strategies for poverty reduction. Josh Smee, the group's chief executive, stated, "There are many ways that [financial] pressure could be relieved."
Danielle Seward, the executive director of the Single Parent Association of Newfoundland and Labrador, concurs that action needs to be taken. She explains that many people using their food bank are doing so for the first time, and they are skilled professionals coping with increased housing and utility expenses, leaving them with less money for groceries.
Increasing income support rates would be helpful for some of her clients, Seward said, but it wouldn't suffice for all. She advocates for the provincial government to take food insecurity seriously and create a team to devise solutions. One potential approach to tackle the issue could be examining ways to decrease the cost of groceries, such as offering funds to offset the high costs of shipping to Newfoundland and Labrador, and to remote communities in the province.
Seward is also concerned about the summer months, as parents lose access to breakfast and lunch programs during these months. She reveals that the association's food bank experiences a surge in demand during the summer, making it the busiest time of the year.
"The summer months are the most critical time of the year for food insecurity for single-parent families," Seward noted.
In summary, tackling food insecurity among children in Newfoundland and Labrador during the summer requires a multifaceted approach, comprising solutions like summer meal programs, community food distribution initiatives, educational and recreational programs, government support and policy changes, community involvement, and awareness campaigns. Acting decisively and collaboratively can ensure that no child goes hungry during the summer months.
- The government could consider reallocating resources to establish summer meal programs, addressing food insecurity during the school vacation.
- To combat the high cost of groceries in Newfoundland and Labrador, the government could examine ways to decrease shipping costs, providing funds to offset these expenses.
- The provincial government could form a team to devise solutions, focusing on reducing food insecurity among children and single-parent families during the summer months.
- Awareness campaigns about food insecurity could educate the public on its detrimental effects on physical health, mental morale, and overall well-being, encouraging community involvement in addressing the issue.
