According to Food First NL, food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life.

Food self-sufficiency was traditionally higher in the province as people hunted, fished, foraged and preserved wild food. Things like the rising costs of gear, demands on our time and the unpredictability of the impacts of climate change on our waters and migratory patterns have all affected our access to reliable food supplies. Newfoundland is cut off from Canada by an ocean and Labrador consists of many isolated towns. Food, which is frequently transported by ferry or plane, can not only take a long time to get to us, but also cost more and be less fresh when it arrives.

To achieve optimal food security in our province, we must build a healthy and sustainable food system. The provincial government has committed to increasing the province’s self-sufficiency by working with farmers and other partners. Food First NL is a provincial, non-profit organization that works with a network of 300 organizations and individuals in communities in Newfoundland & Labrador to improve food security.

This week we welcome Joshua Smee, CEO of Food First NL. to learn more about the challenges of food security in Newfoundland & Labrador and what Food First NL is doing to increase understanding and awareness, build strong and diverse networks and support action across sectors at the local, regional, provincial, and national levels, to improve food security in the province.