The Household Food Insecurity Network (HFIN) provides support to Dietitians of Canada (DC) members who are interested or involved in household food insecurity (HFI) and poverty reduction work by facilitating access to practice tools and resources, professional education and networking opportunities. We also support DC advocacy work, as
HFI is identified as a priority issue.
COVID-19 has turned our world upside down, exposing new vulnerabilities and putting some at an increased risk of food insecurity who were not previously in need of food or financial aid. Pre-pandemic, an estimated one in eight Canadians (12.5%) were food insecure. It will be some time before we know the full impact of COVID-19, but Statistics Canada has indicated it is now closer to
one in seven Canadians (14%). This situation has made us sensitive to the need for connection and safety. As part of HFIN, we facilitate the ongoing collaboration necessary for this vital work.
Read the Terms of Reference
Who should join this network?
The HFIN has information and activities that will strengthen competencies in all areas of dietetic practice - public health, clinical, community, private practice, business, education, and food service. Dietitians working together and learning to use an evidence-based HFI-focus in all our professional settings will strengthen outcomes in multiple sectors.
Benefits of membership
- Informative webinars and facilitated discussions on topics relevant to HFI, health equity, poverty reduction and dietetic practice.
- A network of colleagues sharing resources, research, questions, and professional development opportunities.
- Access to past webinars and other activities on current topics, trends, and dietitian’s experiences.
Activities and Achievements:
- The HFIN releases 3-4 Hot Off the Press resources per year. These summaries include a compilation of resources pertaining to HFI.
- HFIN sponsors a workshop submission at the Dietitians of Canada annual conference. In 2020, the subject was the very timely topic of dietetics as a vehicle for social justice.
- The network frequently liaises with DC staff activities related to HFI.
Additional Reading:
Prevalence, Severity and Impact of Household Food Insecurity: A Serious Public Health Issue
Find more documents in the Resource Library (search food insecurity)
Leadership Team
Co-Chairs: Irena Forbes & Karen Giesbrecht
Past Chair: Delone Abercrombie
Communications Coordinator: Nancy Saunders
Regional Reps:
- BC: Lillian Yin
- AB: Suzanne Galesloot
- Yukon, NU, NT: Katherine Hillier
- SK, MB, NW ON: Shelby Rowein
- Central and Southern ON: Lindsay Goodridge
- QC, NE and Eastern ON: Marlène Goulet
- Atlantic: Laura Bellussi and Melody Swan
- Student Voice: Katharine Yu
Cost: $35 for full members; $15 for students
Contact: hfi@dietitians-network.ca
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