EHOs' involvement with food security: Promoting food donations

The BCCDC/NCCEH Environmental Health Seminar Series provides an opportunity for learning and knowledge exchange on a variety of environmental health topics. The seminars can be attended in-person or online.

Speakers: Winifred Lao, Kimberly Wrixon, Cathy Wong, and Wilson Yu, British Columbia Institute of Technology

Abstract: Food insecurity is a serious public health issue that can result in chronic illnesses, as well as social and mental health problems. Although food distribution organizations (FDOs) are not the ultimate solution to address food insecurity, they were formed to provide support to those in need by collecting and distributing foods. However, FDOs encounter many food donation issues, which affect their capability to help improve the health of the food insecure. Hence, this webinar will provide an overview of the issues related to food insecurity and food donations to enhance Environmental Health Officers’ (EHOs) understanding of the public health significance. To increase EHOs’ involvement in food donations, their current and future potential roles as well as the available resources will also be discussed.