Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada
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Nutrition, Food Security and Food Quality Surveys
Nutrition and Food Security Surveys
As part of INAC's mandate to evaluate the impact of the Food Mail Program on food consumption, nutrition, food security, and health of Aboriginal people in isolated communities, nutrition surveys were undertaken in several isolated northern communities between 1992 and 1997.
- Change in Nutrition and Food Security in Two Inuit Communities, 1992 to 1997
- 2001 - An Update on Nutrition Surveys in Isolated Northern Communities 2002
The Food Mail Program Pilot Projects
Based in part on the recommendations contained in the above studies, between December 2001 and January 2003 Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) launched pilot projects in Kugaaruk (Nunavut), Kangiqsujuaq (Nunavik), and Fort Severn (Ontario). The overall purpose of the Food Mail Pilot Projects was to reduce the cost of the most important nutritious perishable foods and increase nutrition education and the retail promotion of healthy foods. By making a healthy diet more affordable and raising the awareness of healthy food choices, the projects were intended to improve nutrition and health in isolated northern communities.
Surveys were conducted in each pilot project community to gather baseline data on nutrition, food security and perceptions of food quality.
Surveys were conducted in each community before the pilot projects began, to gather baseline data on nutrition, food security and perceptions of food quality. The results of these surveys can be found in the following reports.
- Nutrition and Food Security in Kangiqsujuaq, Nunavik - Baseline Survey for the Food Mail Pilot Project - 2004
- Nutrition and Food Security in Kugaaruk, Nunavut - Baseline Survey for the Food Mail Pilot Project - 2003
A subsequent study was undertaken to re-examine the vitamin A and D intakes reported in the baseline surveys in the light of new reference intakes for vitamin A and new information on the level of both vitamins in country foods.
An overview of the pilot projects and their achievements was published in 2009 This report includes information on shipments and prices up to 2006.
Food Quality Surveys
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada undertook a survey on food quality in communities on the Labrador coast in 2001 to gather baseline information to help assess a pilot project aimed at improving the quality of food reaching Labrador communities.
