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1 in 7 faces food insecurity: YRFN hosts virtual event on income security

'It’s a serious public crisis that stems from the fact that people do not have adequate incomes to be healthy,' says executive director of York Region Food Network
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NEWS RELEASE
YORK REGION FOOD NETWORK
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York Region Food Network (YRFN) will host a free ‘Brunch and Learn’ virtual panel discussion about income security on Thursday, Oct. 8 from 10 to 11 a.m.

Hear the facts and take this opportunity to address considerations and discuss actions we need to make as we move toward positive, more effective policy changes for a just recovery. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the inequities in our social assistance programs and food system.

Kate Greavette, Executive Director of YRFN, states “Prior to the pandemic, approximately one in eight Canadian households were struggling to put adequate nutritious food on the table. In the first two months of the pandemic, food insecurity rates increased by 39 per cent, effectively impacting one in seven people. It’s a serious public crisis that stems from the fact that people do not have adequate incomes to be healthy.”

COVID-19 has triggered income shocks that are leaving people in financially precarious situations and at high risk of becoming more severely food insecure. To protect York Region residents throughout the remainder of this pandemic and to ensure a just recovery, we need to provide all people living in Canada with adequate incomes.

There are many approaches to income security including Basic Income, fair wages and desperately needed improvements to our existing social assistance programs to ensure dignified livelihoods. This event brings in experts to explore the advantages and disadvantages of each approach.

To learn more about income responses to food insecurity, join us:

When: Thursday, Oct. 8 from 10 - 11 a.m.
Where: Zoom 

Register at hungryforincome.eventbrite.ca

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