While food insecurity was already a concern before COVID-19, since the pandemic these concerns have worsened, and many families are struggling. A study conducted by the University of British Columbia and the Canadian Mental Health Association has found that people worried about food supply are nearly twice as likely to experience worsened mental health compared to those that don’t have food supply concerns.* Given the crucial link between food security and mental health, ensuring that children always have access to nourishing food is imperative. Student Nutrition Programs play an important role in providing children with access to food, everyday, in their classrooms.
*To learn more about the study, click here: https://news.ubc.ca/2021/09/23/food-insecurity-worries-worse-mental-health-covid19-pandemic/