Available Expert: Addressing the severity of food insecurity in the Kingston community
January 13, 2025
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The City of Kingston could declare food insecurity an emergency this week, urging provincial and federal governments to address the root causes of the crisis. Rates of food insecurity have never been higher and have increased dramatically since the end of COVID income supports.
Queen鈥檚 experts Elaine Power (School of Kinesiology and Health Studies) and Kristen Lowitt (Environmental Studies) are available to speak to the media about the motion being presented to members of Kingston city council Tuesday, Jan. 14, as well as the outcome of the vote.
Dr. Lowitt can speak to the importance of regional food systems (for livelihoods and food access) and the regional food strategy process.
Dr. Power is one of the delegates presenting the motion and can speak to why a systematic change is needed to combat increasing demand among food banks and non-profit organizations. The motion speaks to solutions, including an immediate raise in social assistance rates to meet basic living expenses, and the development a guaranteed livable basic income. Dr. Power says another easy and fast solution for child food insecurity would be to target the Canada Child Benefit so that no household with children lives in poverty.
To arrange an interview, please contact the Queen鈥檚 media team via email at brown.julie@queensu.ca; andrew.carroll@queensu.ca, or mediarelations@queensu.ca