The People’s Market: Ending Food Insecurity With Dignity
Have you ever found yourself frustrated by having to figure out what to make for dinner? Or dreading the constant cycling of getting groceries every week? We often take access to food for granted, but the reality is many families struggle with food insecurity on a daily basis, not knowing where their next meal will come from.
In fact, as many as 1 in 7 Canadians are affected by food insecurity. With inflation and the rising cost of living, that number has been rising and is expected to continue rising over the next year.
Let’s take a moment to define food insecurity: according to Health Canada (2020), food insecurity is defined as “the inability to acquire or consume an adequate diet quality or sufficient quantity of food in socially acceptable ways, or the uncertainty that one will be able to so”.
Food insecurity, like many things, disproportionately impacts some families - racialized groups, families below the poverty line, and single mothers are some of the groups that are most vulnerable to it. Food banks have long been a lifeline for people who may be experiencing food insecurity, providing essential sustenance in times of need. However, the traditional model of food banks often lacks cultural sensitivity and provides pre-packaged food parcels with little to no choice of what is inside.
Food is an integral part of life. Not just when it comes to sustenance, but food is integral to cultures, maintaining traditions, and bringing people together. When it comes to food accessibility, everyone deserves to have access to options catered to their needs in a dignified manner.
Enter The People's Market—a revolutionary food program started by Sakeenah Canada that aims to redefine the way we address food insecurity. Since its inception in February 2022, The People's Market has been on a mission to provide a dignified grocery store experience for food-insecure families, empowering them to choose the food and essentials they need, all while fostering a sense of dignity and cultural inclusivity.
Unlike traditional food banks, The People's Market operates as a full-fledged grocery store. Upon registration, clients are granted access to the market, where they can browse through a wide selection of culturally diverse halal food and essentials. Clients have the autonomy to pick and choose items that align with their needs – from pantry essentials to freezer items and even fresh produce.
Today, The People’s Market celebrates its second anniversary. In the two years since its launch, The People's Market has made a significant impact on the lives of thousands of individuals in our communities. During the last year alone, we were able to serve over 1700 families, distributing over 100,800 food items. By prioritizing dignity and choice, The People's Market addresses the immediate need for food and acknowledges the inherent value and worth of every individual it serves.
As we look towards the future, The People's Market serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative potential of community-driven initiatives. By placing dignity, diversity, and empowerment at the forefront, this innovative food program is not only feeding the hungry but also nourishing the spirit of those it serves. In a world where compassion and solidarity are more crucial than ever, The People's Market stands as a place of security, working to get closer to eliminating food insecurity in our communities.
You can learn more about The People’s Market and support our work here!
Written by Hira Irfan - Marketing Coordinator at Sakeenah Canada. I love anything creative and using that creativity to serve my community. I’m a proud cat mom of two!
About Sakeenah
Sakeenah Canada, a national charitable organization, was founded in 2018 in response to a gap in culturally and religiously sensitive services available for women and children facing domestic violence and homelessness. Since then, our services have expanded to include mental health therapy and counseling. Sakeenah has also started The People’s Market, a food program that helps combat food insecurity, and has become the first licensed foster care agency for Muslim children in all of North America. We currently operate 8 transitional homes across Canada: Toronto, Brampton, Milton, London, Montreal, Ottawa, Winnipeg, and Regina, in addition to the first long-term housing program for Muslim women and children in Canada, in Windsor.
