Looking for Care?

Vancouver Food Security

Introduction

Food insecurity is increasingly affecting patients across Vancouver, with BC food bank visits up 79% since 2019 and a 200% rise in working individuals seeking support. Created by the PCN Steering Committees in collaboration with the Vancouver Division, this page brings together key learnings from the May 26, 2026 Let’s Talk Food forum, including event highlights, speaker resources, partner organizations, practical tools for patient conversations, and photos from the event.

Extended Information

Let’s Talk Food: Vancouver Food Security Forum brought together Vancouver PCN providers, community partners, speakers, and resource organizations to strengthen awareness of food insecurity and improve provider confidence in supporting patients.

The event included a clinical perspective from Alena Spears, Clinical Dietitian at Hope to Health Clinic; a lived/living experience story from Dawn Royle; and a food security and resources overview from Ian Marcuse of the Vancouver Food Justice Coalition and Vancouver Neighbourhood Food Networks.

Speakers discussed the current food security situation in Vancouver, how food insecurity can appear in clinical settings, practical ways to speak with patients respectfully, and local resources that can support patients and families.

Dr. Lloyd Purdy, Vancouver Physician and Steering Committee Member:

"It's good to know what resources are out there and how to connect with organizations that make this work in their life. Coming to an in-person event like this gives us a chance to hear lived experience and connect directly with community organizations. Then, when I am with a patient and trying to recommend a particular avenue of support, having a more personal connection with those resources helps me speak with much more confidence. It also helps me transfer that confidence to the people I am trying to encourage.”

Colleen Riley, PCN 3 Registered Nurse:

“I think food security is a bigger problem than we are probably aware of, and it likely affects far more people in our practices than we know. Primarily, this event helps start the conversation about how we can include discussions around food security in our routine conversations with patients. It also helps us develop resources that we can use in particular situations.”

Practical Resources and Tools

Additional Resources About Food Insecurity

Food Security Community Partners in Attendance

Little Mountain Neighbourhood House

Collingwood Neighbourhood House

DuMonde Helping Hands Foundation

Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House

Frog Hollow Neighbourhood House

Guru Nanak’s Free Kitchen Society

Vancouver Neighbourhood Food Networks

Food Stash Foundation

TRRUST

Additional Organizations Offering Food Security Support in Vancouver

Engagement