The Institute for Sustainable Food Systems has partnered with four other universities across Canada and conducted a study on food access, concerns and food system perceptions during the COVID-19 pandemic first wave. Four online surveys were administered in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec. during April to August 2020. The results provide quantitative and qualitative information on how the COVID-19 pandemic affected people’s food access, food purchasing and consumption, and how perceptions regarding our food system may have altered. This study will contribute to the on-going discussion on the importance and urgency of transitioning into a more reliable and resilient regional food system.
Regional reports can be downloaded here:
British Columbia Final Project Report
Webinar recordings
Lead Researchers & Institutions:
British Columbia: Dr. Wallapak Polasub, Institute for Sustainable Food Systems, Kwantlen Polytechnic University
Alberta: Dr. Mary Beckie, School of Public Health, University of Alberta
Ontario: Dr. Irena Knezevic, School of Journalism and Communication, Carleton University
Quebec: Dr. Daiva Nielsen, School of Human Nutrition, McGill University
Atlantic Canada: Dr. Catherine Mah, Food Policy Lab, The Dalhousie University
The study was supported by:
Kwantlen Polytechnic University, VanCity Credit Union, University of Alberta – Faculty of Extension, Carleton University’s Rapid Response Research program, McGill Interdisciplinary Initiative and Immunity Emergency COVID-19 Research Funding, the Canada Research Chairs program and Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council
