Jane and Finch community members, including York students and alumni, braved a busy intersection marching for food justice in racialized communities over the weekend.
Food Secure Canada defines food security as a transformation of the current food system, with an aim to eliminate disparities and inequities.
Activists gathered at the Jane and Finch intersection before marching north on Jane Street, performing “guerilla gardening” along the way.
Their ultimate destination was the Driftwood Community Recreation Centre, where a panel featuring speakers from the Toronto Food Policy Council, Jane Finch Action Against Poverty,
Workers’ Action Centre, and others discussed concerns facing marginalized communities.
The panel stated a number of demands, including making Toronto’s park and hydro corridors accessible for local residents to grow food, removing undercover security from grocery stores, and subsidizing small farmers.
Food security continues to be an important issue in York’s community.
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According to the Social Planning Network of Ontario, 32.5 per cent of York West residents live in poverty, as opposed to 24.5 per cent for the city of Toronto as a whole.
Moreover, racialized communities and youth are more likely to be impoverished.
Marchers planted vegetables in designated community gardens, as they paraded up Jane Street waving flags and banners.
Delayed drivers honked enthusiastically as they drove past “honk if you’re hungry” signs toted by demonstrators.
Dwight Gordon, JFAAP member and activist, says food insecurity can be discouraging and stressful.
“I would think that there is a lot of embarrassment buying supermarket or cheap brands, or going to outdated food banks. That is not something to be happy about either,” says Gordon.
The event attracted roughly 50 people.
Alex Kvaskov, Assistant News Editor
Images courtesy of Alex Kvaskov
