Ep 114 Food Insecurity – Gluten Free Style

Let’s start the blog with the show notes for this Episode –

On this episode I speak with Jessica Danford about food insecurity.  In the light of the current corona virus situation in Canada which has led to many job losses, Jess has an insightful view of the struggles of those on a gluten free diet, who for whatever reasons are having trouble affording the safe food they need.  We talk about the problems and Jess suggests some things we can all do to help.  Jess has a GoFundMe page at https://www.gofundme.com/f/gfreewifeyfoodbank

I also speak with Melissa Secord, Executive Director of the Canadian Celiac Association about their efforts to meet the urgent needs of celiacs during this difficult time.  You can find more information on the Canadian Celiac Association website at www.celiac.ca.  Melissa also introduced the CCA’s new Manager of Philanthropy who can be reached at jaya.mootoo@celiac.ca or funddev@celiac.ca

Sue’s Websites and Social Media –

Podcast https://acanadianceliacpodcast.libsyn.com

Podcast Blog – https://www.acanadianceliacblog.com

Facebook – @acanadianceliacpodcast

Twitter – CeliacPodcastCA

Email – acdnceliacpodcast@gmail.com

Baking Website – https://www.suesglutenfreebaking.com

Instagram – @suesgfbaking

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUVGfpD4eJwwSc_YjkGagza06yYe3ApzL

Email – sue@suesglutenfreebaking.com

Other Podcast – Gluten Free Weigh In – https://glutenfreeweighin.libsyn.com

My Thoughts –

I never really thought much about food banks, except that I was occasionally involved in making group donations, and once I met with the manager of our local food bank to talk about gluten free donations.  I only ever looked at the system from the point of view of someone who was making a donation.  Speaking with Jess, I began to think more about those who actually rely on a food bank. 

So many people are losing their jobs.  There is government assistance, but if you were on the edge of requiring help, and just making ends meet, our current economic situation could so easily push you over that edge.  I realized as I was editing my interview, that without meaning to, I implied that the clients of food banks were somehow less prepared for the challenge of feeding a family.  This is a mistake.

Feeding oneself, or feeding your family is something that we, as adults take very seriously, and losing the ability to be self-sufficient is, in so many cases, no one’s fault.  There is no blame here, no absence of good management, no fault. 

I remember the first time I heard the term “no fault”.  It was regarding a new type of auto insurance.  I didn’t really understand auto insurance and the simplistic definition I received for “no fault” was that everyone would be made whole and the insurance companies would figure it out between themselves.  I don’t know if that’s really the way it works, but that was my understanding at the time.

We (I) need to re-set our (my) perspective on food banks.  They provide a service, so that everyone is made whole, and we work out the details behind the scenes.  If you can give, you give, if you need, you get.  That’s the way it should work in a perfect world.  Our world isn’t perfect, but we can keep trying.  As far as the need for gluten free at food banks, we know there’s a need and as I said, our world isn’t perfect, but we can keep trying.