Community Food Security Assessment of the Bonne Bay Region

Abstract

This report presents the findings from a community food security assessment undertaken in the Bonne Bay Region from May-August 2009 as part of the CURRA. A community food security assessment is a powerful way to tell the story of what is happening with food in a community, and to mobilize efforts to improve the food system. It may be understood as, “a collaborative and participatory process that systematically examines a broad range of community food issues and assets, so as to inform actions to make the community more food secure” (Pothukuchi, 2002). In an effort to paint a picture of the community food system, I compiled a food resource inventory, undertook food costing in eight grocery stores throughout the region, and completed interviews with community members from different positions in the food system. This assessment will also form the basis of my Interdisciplinary PhD research at Memorial University.1 A community steering committee was established to guide the assessment and will continue to provide direction throughout future stages of the research.2 This report is organised into six sections. This first section introduces key concepts and frameworks and describes the assessment process. Parts II, III & IV present the findings from the food resource inventory, key informant interviews, and food costing. Part V integrates these findings to identify key strengths and weaknesses of the community food system. Lastly, Part VI presents innovative examples of community-based fisheries and food security projects from other communities in Newfoundland, the U.S. and Europe