Return of scurvy: communities in northern Saskatchewan seek solutions

Many communities in northern Saskatchewan are looking for solutions to counter the cases of scurvy that have appeared in recent weeks. In the village of La Ronge, 27 people have been diagnosed with the disease over the past year, raising concern among several experts.

The onset of scurvy is linked to a severe deficiency of vitamin C, which is usually found in fruits and vegetables.

While the solution to the scurvy problem may seem simple, Dr. Jeff Irvine, based in La Ronge, believes that it is more difficult to talk about the social issues that explain these nutrient deficiencies.

Much research has shown that education is not the problem. People know what a healthy diet is. People know how to prepare healthy food if they have ithe said. Rather, the problem is that they simply do not have access to these types of foods.

Jeff Irvine says the simplest treatment for scurvy is vitamins available at pharmacies. However, a deficiency in fruits and vegetables also risks creating other health problems.

Food is expensive

Lac La Ronge Food Bank Board President Cheryl Norgaard is well placed to see the food distress in the area.

Since the start of the year, the organization has distributed 2,000 boxes of food, compared to 1,500 for all of 2023.

Food is very expensive. I think people are really struggling to make ends meet with what they havedeplores Cheryl Norgaard.

At the main grocery store in La Ronge, several customers observe that prices are considerably higher in the North due to transportation costs, particularly for fresh fruits and vegetables.

Customers estimate that, on average, products cost 15% to 20% more than in Regina and Saskatoon.

Families are faced with impossible decisions to make. They are trying to feed their families the most nutritious food possible, but they are not able to get the fresh produce that you and I, or the people of Regina, Saskatoon or Prince Albert can getsays the provincial deputy for the region, Jordan McPhail.

Some northern communities, however, have managed to establish gardens and farmer support programs that encourage the gathering of nutrient-rich traditional foods.

Next summer, the Lac La Ronge food bank hopes to be able to reopen its community garden in order to offer vegetables to the organization’s beneficiaries.

With information from Alexandre Silberman