Event

Food as Medicine

Food is essential to health and wellbeing. Yet, 5.8 million Canadians are experiencing food insecurity, meaning they struggle to access the food they need due to financial constraints and other challenges. The escalating cost of living seen across Canada (and much of the world) will only escalate this issue. Food insecurity has serious implications on health and wellbeing, which leads to a large burden on the health care system.

 Food insecurity is considered a social determinant of health – but can public policy “treat” the upstream causes rather than the symptoms?  The concept of ‘food as medicine’ is emerging as an innovative framework through which policy could treat food as healthcare. Can it help reduce the burden food insecurity places on our health care system in Canada?

On Wednesday, April 26, join Canada 2020 in Ottawa for a timely conversation on ways that public policy can prioritize reducing food insecurity, improving access, and building a healthier future for all. 

Food as Medicine: 

Exploring the connections and opportunities across food and health care

Wednesday, April 26, 2023  |  12:00 pm EDT

Canada 2020 Studio

Third Floor, 35 O’Connor Street |  Ottawa, Ontario

Light lunch provided

Individual: $35 | Table of 6: $195

Non-profit/educator/student: $25

Register here

Watch the livestream here 

Announced Speakers

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    Dr. Andrew Boozary

    Executive Director, Gattuso Centre for Social Medicine, University Health Network

    Biography
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    Dr. Kate Mulligan

    Senior Director of the Canadian Institute for Social Prescribing

    Biography
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    Joshua Smee

    CEO, Food First NL

    Biography
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    David Herle

    MODERATOR - Host, Curse of Politics and the Herle Burly; and Owner of the Gandalf Group

    Biography
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    Kathryn Scharf

    Chief Program Officer, Community Food Centres Canada

    Biography
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    Adam van Koeverden

    Parliamentary Secretary to Canada’s Minister of Health, and Member of Parliament for Milton

    Biography

Supporting Partners

  • Maple Leaf Centre for Food Security
  • The Arrell Family Foundation