Mar 10 2016 Welfare Food Challenge 2015 – 5 key takeaways from this eye-opening experience [plus bonus video] A UBC dietetic student shares her thoughts and experiences after completing the fourth annual Welfare Food Challenge. Elizabeth Yu is a third year dietetics student studying at the University of British Columbia. She is currently working at a women’s centre in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside and is a passionate advocate of improving food security across all populations. Elizabeth enjoys learning about the role of food in people’s lives in the context of different social and economic situations. She participated in the 2015 Welfare Food Challenge in Vancouver, BC. You can find Elizabeth on Instagram @elizabethyu. After hearing about the high number of people in BC experiencing food insecurity, two friends and I decided to reinforce our role as food citizens by participating in the fourth annual Welfare Food Challenge from November 3-9, 2015. We each had to get through the week with only $21 worth of food. Moreover, we were not allowed to accept food from friends, charities, events, or food aid initiatives. By participating in the Welfare Food Challenge, I aspired to learn about and better understand the perspective of someone who is food insecure, especially pertaining to the difficulties they face regularly. I also wanted to help raise public awareness about this important topic, and thereby express an essential point: Being on welfare and being food insecure is not choice. continue reading
Mar 14 2014 Recap: The Welfare Food Challenge Last month we showcased three blog posts from British Columbia dietitians that participated in the Welfare Food Challenge. In case you missed it, here they are again! Melissa Baker's, An Experience to be Remembered: The Welfare Food Challenge. Colleen McGuire's, Eating on $26 for a Week to Help End Poverty. Erica Kang's, Struggling to Eat on the Welfare Rate of $26 for 1 Week. Please leave a comment and share with friends, I know these amazing dietitians would love to hear your thoughts on their experiences!
Feb 24 2014 An Experience to be Remembered: The Welfare Food Challenge Melissa works as a clinical dietitan for the Fraser Health Authority and as a Nutrition Consultant for Choices Markets. Visit her website or connect on Facebook, Linkedn, twitter and at melissabaker@outlook.com. This is the last post in our Welfare Food Challenge series. Read now about Melissa's experience. continue reading
Feb 21 2014 Eating on $26 for a Week to Help End Poverty Colleen McGuire is the owner of At the Table Nutrition Inc. Since co-writing the Cost of Eating in BC Report in 2011, she has become passionate about food security in BC and the right to good quality food for all. This is part two of our Welfare Food Challenge series. Read how Colleen lived on only $26 of food for one week. continue reading