Food Coping Strategies Among Iqaluit's Vulnerable Population in the Context of Socio-Economic-Climatic Change

Food insecurity affects 56% of the Inuit population in Canada's arctic territory of Nunavut. In the territorial capital, Iqaluit, the food bank has seen the demand for its services increase by 50% since 2005–2006 and other Nunavut communities are currently developing community food programs to address food insecurity issues. There is a growing concern that climate change and the loss of traditional livelihoods might further increase vulnerability to food insecurity. Community-based food programs have been part of the solution to alleviate food shortages; however some have suggested that using food banks offers limited protection against food insecurity and might undermine traditional sharing practices. Furthermore, while some coping strategies, such as selling belongings, can offer short term protection against food insecurity, these can also increase long term vulnerability to it. This research aims to gain in-depth information on food insecurity circumstances from users of three Iqaluit community food programs by evaluating: 1) how such services are perceived by their users, 2) if they contribute to reduce food insecurity for those users, 3) other strategies employed in response to food shortages by these users, 4) elements of the Inuit culture that have traditionally improved food insecurity, and 5) the interaction of food insecure individuals with the food system to examine vulnerability to climate change. In-depth semi-structured interviews with local organizations and Inuit using these services will be conducted. Photovoice will be used to offer participants the opportunity to describe their reality through photography and engage in the research. This study will improve our understanding of the way in which community food programs can alleviate Inuit food insecurity in the context of multiple and emerging stresses by gaining knowledge from community organizations and their users, provide the opportunity to evaluate the most important drivers of food insecurity, evaluate the risk posed by climate change to this vulnerable population and provide important information for future projects targeting food security in other Inuit communities.