Improving food security and nutrition for seniors in British Columbia through community food programs and cultural and ethnic-based approaches (June 1st, 2021)

Panelists:

• Mike MacNeil, Master of Public Health, Project Assistant at United Way of Lower Mainland
• Shabina Jahan-Chaudhary, Program Coordinator at DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society
• Leo Ramirez, Community Kitchen Coordinator, DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society

Moderator: Annwen Loverin, Silver Harbour Seniors' Activity Centre (ED), CBSS Leadership Council (Co-chair).

Last spring, the Community-Based Seniors Services (CBSS) Nutritional Supports Provincial Working Group supported a Masters student, Mike MacNeil, in completing a literature review on community-based approaches that improve food security and nutrition/nourishment for seniors in British Columbia and the approaches currently existing in the province. Using the findings from this research, a condensed checklist was created for CBSS agencies which lists steps to be considered when planning a new food program or to enhance elements of an existing one. The literature review and checklist include sections on addressing food security for culturally diverse seniors, including Indigenous groups.

In this webinar, Mike provided an overview of the research and checklist. Shabina discussed what is being done at DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society in terms of food security programs. Leo outlined best practices around culturally appropriate foods and highlighted relevant stories from DIVERSEcity. Shabina finished by discussing barriers in accessing culturally appropriate food in the community and how to make solutions more sustainable.

Click here to view the full Literature Review and Checklist documents.