Food Insecurity

In recent years, the rising cost of living in Canada has made it increasingly difficult for many families to afford nutritious food. As food prices climb faster than wages, more Canadians are turning to food banks to meet basic needs. According to recent reporting, food bank usage has reached record levels, highlighting how inflation is directly shaping Canadians’ eating habits and food choices. Many households are forced to buy cheaper, less nutritious foods or skip meals altogether, which can have long-term health effects, especially for children and teenagers.

For a closer look at how food prices are affecting Canadians, watch this overview.

Food Insecurity in Canada’s North

While food insecurity is a serious issue across the country, families in Canada’s North face even greater challenges. In remote northern communities, food must often be flown in, dramatically increasing prices. Everyday items such as milk, fresh fruit, and vegetables can cost double or triple what they do in southern Ontario. As a result, many northern families rely heavily on processed, shelf-stable foods because they are more affordable and accessible, even though they are often less healthy.

This video explores the realities of food insecurity in northern Canada and why the problem is so severe.

Why Healthy Eating Matters for Teens

Adolescence is a critical period for physical growth, brain development, and forming lifelong habits. Good nutrition supports concentration at school, energy levels, mental health, and overall well-being. However, when families struggle with food costs, teens may not always have access to balanced meals.

The Johns Hopkins Medicine website provides clear, evidence-based guidance on healthy eating during adolescence. They recommend that teens:

• Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables every day
• Choose whole grains over refined grains
• Include lean proteins such as beans, eggs, fish, and poultry
• Limit sugary drinks and highly processed foods

You can read their full guidelines here.

Healthy Eating Advice from Canada Food Guide

Canada’s Food Guide also offers practical, Canada-specific advice for teens. In addition to encouraging a balanced plate with vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and protein foods, it emphasizes habits such as:

• Drinking water as the main beverage
• Learning food skills like cooking simple meals
• Eating together with family or friends when possible
• Paying attention to hunger and fullness cues

These tips are especially helpful for teens trying to eat well even when food options are limited. Canada Food Guide’s recommendations for teens can be found here.

Bringing It All Together

Food insecurity is a growing issue in Canada, driven by rising living costs and especially severe in northern communities. At the same time, teens need reliable access to nutritious food to support their growth and health.

By understanding the challenges families face and using trusted guidelines from sources like Johns Hopkins Medicine and Canada Food Guide, teens and families can make informed choices whenever possible, and better understand why food access is an important social issue in Canada today.

Task:

Create a short, informal video (1–2 minutes) discussing your goals for your diet. Identify and explain:

• One thing you will START doing (e.g., eating a piece of fruit daily, eating breakfast).
• One thing you will STOP doing (e.g., buying sugary drinks, eating late at night).
• One thing you will KEEP doing (e.g., drinking water as your primary beverage, helping prepare dinner).

Provide a brief reasoning for each of these choices based on what you have learned from the healthy eating guidelines.

Deliverable: