What is Food Security?
Food security means having access to safe, culturally acceptable, affordable and nutritious food. The principles of food security are sustainability, self-reliance and social justice.
Traditional Food Systems
Traditional foods have long been at the centre of aboriginal communities and economies (Ommer & Turner, 2004). The wealth of knowledge that is still rooted within aboriginal communities about traditional foods and their links to health, healing and culture may benefit all communities by building connection to natural food sources (Kuhnlein et al, 2006).
The health of aboriginal communities and people has been strongly linked to ecosystems and the food that these systems provide (Kuhnlein et al, 2006). Many aboriginal leaders believe the re-adoption of traditional foods is important to addressing many of the health problems facing aboriginal populations today (Turner and Turner, 2008).
For more information about Food Security and Aboriginal Health, please contact:
South - Fiona Devereaux
North - Erin Rowsell
For more about food security and food initiatives within VIHA, visit VIHA Food Security.