7. Jewish Family Services: “Dignified Access to Food” Video Project

Project Description

Note: This project will take place online and in person

Context: What challenge or issue does the project aim to address?

Emergency food programs traditionally have taken a transactional approach to serving clients. Clients may need to prove they fit within a financial need threshold, wait in line for food, and receive food that may not meet their nutritional needs. This treatment often comes from the belief that those who require emergency food services are somehow different from those who do not. The reality is that anyone could find themselves in need of a little extra support. With rising costs of housing, gas, and food the need is increasing in our community and beyond. Those who support food banks do so out of concern for others, but may not understand the full picture of food insecurity in the community. They may not realize that all kinds of people need food support and that there are more dignified ways to make food accessible to all people.

This project aims to educate the community about Dignified Access to Food and the ways in which JFS strives to make this a reality through our Good Food Hubs.

Main Project Activities and Deliverables

• Literature review (informal) about dignified food access
• Creating video storyline
• Filming and editing a 2-4 minute video that would introduce our community to concepts of dignified food access, using JFS food security initiatives (existing and possibly future/envisioned) to illustrate the points

Student Assets and Skills (preferred or required)

• Required: Respect for all people
• Confidentiality
• Strong communication skills
• Preferred: Video editing experience

Are there any mandatory attendance dates (e.g. special event)?

While these are not all mandatory, we hope students can attend and document events such as the following:

• Sept 22 (and maybe other Thursday evenings in Oct or Nov): F2P workshop (evening)
• Oct 12: Supper Club (evening)
• Oct 6: Project Isaiah (evening)
• Sept 29/ Oct 13: Community Kitchens (afternoon)

There will be plenty of other opportunities to observe and document our regular operations. The events/dates listed above are confirmed in our current program calendar, and it is likely that additional events will be scheduled throughout the term. Dates/times will be shared with the students as information becomes available.

Ideally students can also come at least one morning (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and/or Thursday) to observe and document regular operations

Is a criminal record search (CRS) required?

• Yes

If a criminal record search is required, when should the process be initiated?  

• Before the first community partner meeting (please check with your TA for guidance if needed)

How much self-direction is expected from the students?

• Deciding on the project deliverable(s): Mostly led by community partner, with some student input
• Developing the activity plan and timeline: Equal leadership between students and community partner
• Scheduling and initiating the communication plan (e.g. weekly Zoom check-in, biweekly email update, etc.): Equal leadership between students and community partner
• Implementing the activity plan (e.g. surveying stakeholder groups): Mostly led by students, with some community partner input
• Finalizing the deliverable(s): Mostly led by students, with some community partner input

Preferred Days of Week and Hours

• Flexible

Related Community Service Opportunities for Students

• We have in-person volunteer opportunities daytime Monday-Thursday at the JFS Kitchen
• Opportunities include food prep, packaging groceries, and delivery to clients.
• There may also be opportunities to assist with special events.

Required Reading

Project/Partner Orientation Materials

Students should review the following materials prior to the first partner meeting. Additional orientation materials may be provided at the first partner meeting.

• JFS Website (food support information): https://www.jfsvancouver.ca/services/family-and-adult-resources/food-and-support/%20JFS
• Most recent annual report: https://www.jfsvancouver.ca/about-us/annual-reports/
• Kim, S. & van Enckevort, J. (2021). Community-Centered Food Support and Care for All: Transforming Dignified Food Access in Vancouver. A Convening Grant report from Kiwassa Neighbourhood House. Vancouver: British Columbia.
• Understanding Household Food Insecurity in Canada (primer and resources). PROOF Food Insecurity Policy Research, University of Toronto.

Additional Materials

• Black, J. (2020). The worst time for food banks to raise barriers to food (opinion). Vancouver Sun
• Dignified Food Access A Year in Review: From Emergency Food Response Towards Collective Impact for Systems Change (2021). Vancouver Neighbourhood Food Networks
• The Right to Food in Canada. Food Secure Canada
• The Right to Food. Canada Without Poverty