Food insecurity still growing in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean

In its latest annual activity report, Moisson Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, which acts as a food distributor in Saguenay and northern Lac-Saint-Jean, recorded a 44% increase in the quantity of products redistributed as of March 31, 2024.

“If we quickly look at the figures, we can see that it is down compared to last year because at the same date in 2023, we were close to a 60% increase. However, the increases are coming one after the other and piling up. The increase in food aid is increasing. The situation continues to be critical,” Yanick Soumis, the organization’s general director, immediately said.

In Mr. Soumis’s eyes, several factors explain this persistent reality. “Even though inflation has stabilized, rent prices remain exorbitant in many places. As a result, people must spend more money to ensure they have a roof over their heads. Furthermore, immigration, whether we like it or not, has increased. This also adds additional pressure on food banks.”

With less money to spend on food, many people are forced to turn to last resort resources to feed themselves. However, these cases, which could be called more “extreme”, are not the only ones to fall into what is called food insecurity.

“Food insecurity is not simply when a person is no longer able to feed themselves. It is also when people are forced to deprive themselves of a particular food or a specific category of foods. Sometimes, it even goes as far as completely eliminating this food from their diet. Food insecurity can also be reflected in the portions consumed. If we reduce the quantities to reach the end of the month, that’s it too.”

— Yanick Soumis, General Manager at Moisson Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean

Food deserts

In urban centres, where grocery stores are on every street corner, there is no shortage of diversity in terms of available food. However, when you move away from the city, as in northern Lac-Saint-Jean, for example, the situation can be completely different. Moisson Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, which opened a new warehouse in Dolbeau-Mistassini in 2023, is able to see this first-hand.

“It’s a completely different reality in rural areas. Already, quality jobs are becoming rarer. There are also more people who have serious employment constraints. So, it’s complicated for many people to eat properly because food remains at prices comparable to those in the city. Additionally, there is less variety. It’s another added difficulty,” explained Yanick Soumis.

Without being able to commit to specific data, the general manager of Moisson Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean confirmed that the first year of operations in Saint-Jean had been eventful. “We still serve two MRCs in the sector, namely Domaine-du-Roy and Maria-Chapdelaine. Let’s just say that we had a lot of organizations requesting our help when we officially began operations. The precise figures will be revealed in October 2024, but I can already say that the help we provided far exceeded what we expected.”

An unfair monopolistic context, a mentality to change

More requests for food aid necessarily mean more purchases of food at Moisson Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean. Despite new and very interesting partnerships with local producers, the majority of products redistributed by the organization come from large food chains. However, this main source of supply is far from ideal.

“The Canadian food industry is dominated by five major banners. They have a monopoly. Competition is very limited. There are different players who are increasingly getting involved. I am thinking in particular of Dollarama and Walmart. It is good for prices, but it is still not enough. Some say that it is wishful thinking to want to tackle the problem that is structural in nature. I think that it is first and foremost the mentality that must change.

When Mr. Soumis talks about a necessary change in mentality, he refers more explicitly to the redistribution of wealth, which he still considers deficient. “One day, large companies will have to stop passing the bill on to consumers. They will suffocate. A social approach, which distances itself a little from shareholding and individualism, would not do us any harm collectively. We are far from being there, however. There is very little solidarity and mobilization is non-existent or almost.”

There is no sector of the economy more sensitive than food anyway, he added.

“If people are eating poorly, it creates health problems. It costs us as a society. People who are less well-nourished have less energy. They are less productive. So even when we decide to keep strictly capitalist lenses when we look at the problem, we realize that there is a real underlying impact. Are we going to have to reach an extreme level of baseness in our society before people react?”

— Yanick Soumis, general manager at Moisson Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean

The eternal underfunding

The fight for Moisson Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, as well as for many other social organizations, remains the same. Funding, whether government or private fundraising, is not keeping up with the increase that occurs year after year.

“It’s sad, but it’s the reality we’re facing. For the coming year, Moisson Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean will need, according to our forecasts, $1.5 million to meet demand. So far, we only have $700,000 in policyholders. We’re going to have to fight to make up the difference. We have no choice but to be creative,” added Yanick Soumis.

Projects of all kinds should be announced during the year by the non-profit organization whose objective is to fight food insecurity. The participation of individuals, but also governments, will have to be there, concluded the general director. “There is always a surge of generosity during the holiday season with Christmas baskets. That said, people in difficulty do not only eat in December and January. Food is a daily struggle, all year long.”