Household Food Insecurity Network

The Household Food Insecurity Network (HFIN) provides support to 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.

Between COVID, inflation, housing costs, extreme weather patterns, and other challenges, we are seeing new vulnerabilities and people at 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. We now think it is closer to one in six Canadians (16%). As part of the HFIN, we facilitate ongoing collaboration necessary for addressing these complex challenges.

Read the Terms of Reference

Read the HFIN Land Acknowledgement
Resource document also available for HFIN members.

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, facilitated discussions and a Journal Club on topics relevant to HFI, health equity, poverty reduction and dietetic practice.
A network of colleagues sharing resources, research, questions, and professional development opportunities.
Learning to use evidence-informed principles for advocacy at all levels of HFI: Individuals experiencing marginal, moderate and severe household food insecurity.
Access to past webinars and other activities on current topics, trends, and dietitian’s experiences.
Liaise with DC on HFI related advocacy.
Contribute to HFI related Practice-based Evidence in Nutrition® resources.

Activities and Achievements:

Review the 2022 Annual Report.
Recent webinars to support our diverse area of practice
Journal club topics have included nutrition advocacy, role of industry in food charities, and nutritionish
An active PEN working group
Working closely with DC staff related to HFI advocacy