Food and Water Security Questionnaire

Food and Water Security Questionnaire (Cost, access to culturally appropriate diets, access to clean water)

Disclaimer:

The PeriPHAT tool is meant to offer tips. It is not for emergencies. For an emergency, please call 911. For non-emergency related health advice, call 811.

Introduction

Food security means having enough safe and nutritious food and accessing it easily whenever needed. Because climate change can impact food security, we want to gauge whether you're having trouble accessing food. Questions in this part of the PeriPHAT tool are here to help you and your family with food and water security.

5. Are you currently pregnant or planning to become pregnant? Yes Not pregnant, but I am planning on becoming pregnant No

6. Has your healthcare provider discussed how to eat healthy during your pregnancy? Yes No

Your nutrition and financial needs increase when you are pregnant. This could put you at greater risk for food insecurity. You are also at a higher risk of getting sick from certain germs.

Your nutrition needs before and during pregnancy will change. Talk to your healthcare provider, healthcare team or walk-in medical clinic about healthy eatingEating various unprocessed, fresh foods daily, such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, proteins, and water. Healthy eating looks different for everyone and is based on their needs. and food safety during pregnancy.

Here are some tips:

Make water your drink of choice and drink plenty
Limit caffeine to 300mg or two eight-oz. (237ml) cups per day. Keep in mind that total daily caffeine includes things like carbonated beverages and chocolate.
Increase calories while pregnant, especially in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters.Try an extra small meal or snack.
Choose healthy fats in foods like nuts and seeds
Choose fish low in mercury like salmon and trout
Have a variety of nutritious foods and limit added sugars, sodium, and saturated fat

General healthy eating tips:

Eat a variety of fresh foods each day such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and proteins
Limit processed foods
Cook more often
Enjoy your food
Eat with others

To learn more about infant feeding, Government of Canada: Infant Feeding.

To learn more about nutrition before and during pregnancy, visit:

7. Do you currently have children, or do you care for children? Yes No, but I am planning on having children No

Providing for young children increases food costs and can put people at risk for food insecurity.

How and what you normally eat during climate change events can be disrupted.

There have been ongoing formula shortages. It is important to be prepared for this.

The formula shortage is stabilizing; however, the price of the formula has gone up. Here are some do’s and don’ts from Health Canada if your formula runs out:

Do

If possible exclusively breastfeed/chestfeed
Consider different sizes of packages or formats (powder, liquid concentrate, ready-to-feed) for the infant formula brand you are currently using.
Check the manufacturer's website for resources to locate a specific formula or contact customer service.
If your usual formula is unavailable, try a different brand. It is normal for infants to take time to adjust to a change in formula.
Consult your healthcare provider or walk-in clinic if your infant requires a specialized formula.
If you combine bottle-feeding with chestfeeding or breastfeeding, maintain your human milk supply if possible.
Start introducing homogenized cow's milk if your baby is between 9 and 12 months old.
Check that Health Canada has reviewed the infant formula you are buying.

Don't

Make homemade infant formula. It can put your infant's health at serious risk.
Dilute or water down your infant formula to extend its use. This reduces the nutritional content of the formula, and your infant may not get the nutrition they need.
Buy more infant formula than you need.
Use infant formula from unknown sources, such as online third parties.
Use breast milk obtained online or directly from other individuals.
Substitute infant formula with other beverages.

For more information, talk with your healthcare team or visit this link:

Government of Canada: Infant formula shortages

8. Are you a single parent or the primary caregiverHaving one income as a single parent can create food insecurity. for children in your care? Yes No

9. Do you feel that you have enough help in caring for your child(ren)? For example, can you ask for supportThis can come in many forms, such as social, financial, familial, community, psychosocial, spiritual, and health-related. from your friends, family, neighbours, community organizations, benefits, a healthcare team, or parenting groups? Yes I have support but I am struggling No

A) How can I prepare for food and water insecurity related to climate change events?

Climate change is affecting food and water security in several ways. Changing weather patterns alter agriculture, food production, and food distribution, causing food prices to rise. Climate change events can also directly affect food and water security through natural disasters. One way you can prepare for this is to have an emergency kit ready with the following supplies:

Bottled water: 2L per person per day minimum; consider keeping 1-2L extra per person per day for cleaning/sanitation purposes
Food that won’t spoil, ex. Canned goods, energy bars, dried foods, packaged foods
If formula feeding, having additional formula on hand for baby’s age
Manual can opener
Wind-up or battery-powered flashlight (with extra batteries)
Wind-up or battery-powered radio (with extra batteries)
First aid kit
Extra keys to your home and car
Some cash, traveler’s cheques, change
Important documents (ex. Identification documents)
If you suspect a power outage, consider filling a cooler with ice to have it ready for refrigerated food
An emergency plan that includes contact information

To learn more about creating an emergency kit, visit Government of Canada Emergency Kit

If you frequently experience climate change events, consider these food and water safety tips:

In the case of a power outage:

Unopened fridges will keep food cold for 4 hours; temperature should be at or below 4 degrees Celsius
Half-full freezers will keep food cold for 24 hours, full freezers will keep food cold for 48 hours, and temperature should be at or below -18 degrees Celsius
Avoid opening the fridge and freezer in a power outage
Don’t put frozen food outside in the winter. The sun could begin to thaw the food even if it is cold.

After a power outage:

Throw away thawed food if it has been at room temperature for two or more hours
Throw away any food with unusual colours or smells. However, contaminated food may not look or smell different
Food can be refrozen if it has ice crystals or feels fridge-cold

Water safety:

Follow local officials to see if the tap water is safe to use
If water is contaminated, do not use it to: brush teeth, clean dishes, make ice, use in baby formula, wash your hands, wash or prepare food.
Don’t eat food that have damaged containers and could be contaminated
If you are on well water, contact your local public health unit

To learn more about food safety following an emergency, visit Government of Canada: Food Safety After Emergency

To learn more about climate change affecting food and water security, visit Government of Canada: Risks to Health from Climate Change

For regional information on emergency preparedness:

For First Nations resources: First Nations Health Authority - Drinking Water Safety Program Government of Canada: Chlorine in drinking water in First Nations Communities Water First Education & Training (registered charity)

B) What are some low-cost food options for me?

Climate change is affecting food and water security in several ways. Changing weather patterns are altering agriculture, food production, and food distribution, which in turn is raising food prices. Food security is also impacted by other factors, such as job insecurity, providing for a family, increased nutritional needs during pregnancy, being a single parent, living in a remote community, and the ongoing effects of colonization and systemic racism.

A program offered by the Government of Canada is the Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program (CPNP). This program gives money to community groups to help increase the health of pregnant people, new parents and babies who may have health challenges due to poverty, teen pregnancy, social/geographic isolation, substance use, and family violence. The program has various support, counselling, and educational services available. This program is available country-wide and includes culturally sensitive support for Indigenous people and recent immigrants. To learn more visit Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program and talk to your healthcare team about connecting you with its services.

If you are in immediate need of food, try these resources:

Find a Food Bank-food Banks Canada: click this link to find the nearest food bank near you using your address or postal code.
SalvationArmyLocator, click this link to find the Salvation Army nearest to you that offers food banks and practical assistance.

Get in touch with your healthcare team to set you up with social resources to help with food insecurity. Want to learn more about the causes of food prices? Visit Stats Can What's Causing Growth in Food Prices

C) What are ways I can receive support related to food and nutrition for my family and I?

Climate change is affecting food and water security in several ways. Changing weather patterns alter agriculture, food production, and food distribution, causing food prices to rise. This can be compounded by several factors, such as job insecurity, providing for a family, increased nutritional needs during pregnancy, being a single parent, living in a remote community, and ongoing effects of colonization and systemic racism.

You may be eligible for family and caregiving benefits from the government. Some benefits include:

Canada child benefit
Caregiving benefits and leave
Maternity and parental benefits
Canada dental benefit
Child disability benefit

To learn more about these benefits, visit Government of Canada: Family Benefits or ask your healthcare team to connect you with social services.

Another program the Government of Canada offers is the Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program (CPNP). This program gives money to community groups to help increase the health of pregnant people, new parents and babies. These groups may have health challenges due to poverty, teen pregnancy, social/geographic isolation, substance use, and family violence. The program has various support, counselling, and educational services available. This program is available country-wide and includes culturally sensitive support for Indigenous people and recent immigrants. To learn more, visit Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program and talk to your healthcare team about connecting you with its services.

If you are in immediate need of food, try these resources:

Find a Food Bank-food Banks Canada: click this link to find the nearest food bank near you using your address or postal code.
SalvationArmyLocator, click this link to find the Salvation Army nearest to you that offers food banks and practical assistance.

Contact your healthcare team to set you up with social resources to help with food insecurity.

Want to learn more about the causes of food prices? Visit Stats Can What's Causing Growth in Food Prices

D) I want to learn more about water advisories:

Water advisories can be issued for several reasons. These reasons include water line breaks, contamination, equipment failure, or following climate change events. These are common in remote communities. Here is some information on water advisories:

Boil water - This is usually for contamination or problems with water treatment plants. Remember, you must boil the water for at least 1 minute
Make sure you boil the water:
- before drinking or using ice cubes
- dishes
- brushing teeth
- making infant formula or other drinks
- washing fruits and vegetables
- for babies
- toddlers
- and the elderly
- give a sponge bath rather than a regular bath to avoid swallowing the water.
Do not consume/drink: this is usually when there is some sort of contamination that can’t be fixed through boiling. Remember:

Boiling will not make the water safe to consume
Do not use tap water to make ice cubes, soups, drinks, wash fruits and vegetables, hands, feed pets, make infant formula or other drinks.
For babies, toddlers, and the elderly, give a sponge bath rather than a regular bath to avoid swallowing the water.
Adults and older children can use it for showering.

Do not use: This is when you should not use tap water for any reason. It could have negative health effects.
Well water should be tested regularly. Contact your local public health unit for more information on water testing.

If a water advisory is issued in your community, follow local official’s announcements and recommendations. To learn more, visit: Government of Canada: About drinking water advisories

For provincial/territory information:

For information on well water, visit:

E) I want to learn more about safe feeding practices during climate change events:

Regular feeding practices can be disrupted during a climate change event, and food and water security is at risk. Here are some tips:

Talk with your healthcare provider, healthcare team or walk-in medical clinic about emergency plans for chest/breast or formula feeding
If possible, chest feed or breastfeed as it is the safest option. No equipment or bottles need to be cleaned or sterilized
In your emergency kit, consider storing extra food for your children
In your emergency kit, consider storing extra water if you are chestfeeding or breastfeeding or for mixing formula Use the ready-to-use formula
For newborns, the safest option in an emergency is storing extra ready-to-use formula or continuing with chest feeds
Do not drink or use the tap water for anything, including cleaning any feeding equipment or mixing formula, until told it is safe to do so by local officials

For more information, visit this link: Healthlink BC Food safety tips, Instant Formula Booklet Healthlink BC, Government of Canada: About drinking water advisories.

F) A program offered by the Government of Canada is the Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program (CPNP).

This program provides funding to community groups that help increase the health of pregnant people, new parents and their babies who may face health challenges due to poverty, teen pregnancy, social/geographic isolation, substance use, and family violence. The program has various support, counselling, and educational services available. This program, includes remote and rural communities, is available country-wide and includes culturally sensitive support for Indigenous people and recent immigrants. To learn more visit Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program and talk to your healthcare team, healthcare provider or walk-in clinic about connecting you with its services.

G) Healthy eating tips:

Find items from each food group your family will eat, including vegetables and fruits, whole grains, protein, and healthy fats. Choose water as your drink of choice. Listen to your body and its hunger cues. Eat when you feel hungry, and stop eating when you feel satisfied. We should focus on adding more food from the food groups and reducing foods with high fat, salt, and sugar content. Check out the links below to learn more about healthy eating, picky eating in children and more!

Healthy eating resources for families with children:

H) ndigenous and other cultural considerations:

Food traditions are an important way for families to connect to their culture and for developing positive eating habits.

Cultural and food traditions can influence how we prepare food, what we eat, when and where we find or get the food, and how we prepare the food. Climate change can impact our water and food security as it impacts our environment, how food can be grown, what types of food we can purchase or grow, and where food can be found. Please take the time to consider your cultural and food traditions and how extreme weather, pollution and disasters may impact them. If you have difficulty getting food, contact your local food bank or community support services organization for help. You can also find out if there is a community garden project or farmers’ market coupon program in your area through local community organizations.

Canada’s Food Guide - Cultures, food traditions and healthy eating

Indigenous Food Sovereignty

Indigenous relationships with land and food systems and food sovereignty are important to consider with climate change impacting the land and possibly the food systems. Indigenous peoples have to ensure food sovereignty. A food system includes water, soil, air, land, and culturally appropriate plants, animals, and fungi species that support Indigenous peoples.

Newcomers food security

It can be difficult to find food ingredients that you can use to make meals from your home country. If you need help finding certain foods, contact the immigrant support services centre near you for information.