Assessing perceived food security among British Columbian rural and urban residents

Abstract

In Canada, food security is a key determinant of public health. Food insecurity is an issue faced by 1 in 8 Canadians, both rural and urban. All communities in Canada face various barriers to achieving food security, however these barriers differ depending on rural or urban residence. High cost of food due to transportation costs are a significant barrier in rural communities, whereas cost of living is the predominant barrier for urban communities. Throughout rural and urban communities in Canada the establishment of local food initiatives and agricultural programs have aided to alleviate the impact of food insecurity. This project aims to gauge the perception of food security among rural and urban communities in British Columbia. Understanding how individuals perceive their own food security will help guide policy and decision making to ameliorate food security in British Columbia.