Food Literacy

What is Food Literacy?

Under Article 25, food is recognized as a human right in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).¹

Food literacy is defined as a “collection of inter-related knowledge, skills and behaviors required to plan, manage, select, prepare, and eat food to meet needs and determine intake. Food literacy is the scaffolding that empowers individuals, households, communities or nations to protect diet quality through change, and support dietary resilience over time.”²

It helps people understand where food comes from, how to make good food choices, and how to adapt to changes, such as price, availability, or health needs.

Why does Food Literacy Matter?

In Nova Scotia, 70.7% of the population was classified as “food secure” in 2023, which was below the national average.³

Food Literacy is an essential tool in fighting food insecurity. Food insecurity is described as “the uncertain or limited physical, social and economic access of individuals and households to sufficient, safe, nutritious, and culturally relevant food.”⁴

Investing in Food Literacy can empower people, stretch limited resources, and improve food security. “It develops a positive relationship between people and food,”⁵ fostering healthier communities with confident consumers who know “the value and significance of sustainable purchasing choices and healthy cooking and eating.”⁶

Food Literacy Resource Hub

Food Calendars

These calendars are designed to help you find free meals, food banks, and community food programs in Cape Breton Regional Municipality (CBRM) and Victoria County. Whether you are looking for a warm meal, groceries, or support for you and your family.

Everyone deserves access to nourishing food. We hope this little guide makes things easier for you to plan your days and reduce stress. You’re not alone; your community is here for you.

The Cape Breton Regional Library (CBRL) is committed to planning and promoting programs to improve food security, literacy, and social determinants of health in its communities. A priority of this initiative is focusing on developing food and nutrition knowledge, food skills, food decisions, self-efficacy and confidence, and ecological factors.⁷ We are committed to provide accessible, inclusive, and enriching food programming. Learn more by clicking on the “Events” tab below:

Food Literacy Library Catalogue

Found something interesting? Click on the book cover for more details.

Food Literacy Books by Cape Breton Regional Library

CBRL recognizes the support of the Province of Nova Scotia.
CBRL reconnaît l’appui du Gouvernement de la Nouvelle-Écosse.

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References

1. United Nations. (1948). Universal Declaration of Human Rights. https://www.un.org/en/about-us/universal-declaration-of-human-rights ↩︎
2. Dodge, H. (2020). Gather ‘Round the Table: Food Literacy Programs, Resources, and Ideas for Libraries. American Library Association. ↩︎
3. Department of Finance and Treasury Board. (2025). CANADIAN INCOME SURVEY: FOOD SECURITY, 2023. Retrieved from the Government of Nova Scotia website: https://novascotia.ca/finance/statistics/topic_news.asp?id=20963&fto=23w&rdval=2025-05 ↩︎
4. Begley, A., Paynter, E., Butcher, L. M., & Dhaliwal, S. S. (2019). Examining the Association between Food Literacy and Food Insecurity. Nutrients, 11(2), 445. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11020445 ↩︎
5. Cape Breton Island Food Network. (2018). FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Cape Breton Food Facts. The Island Food Network. https://islandfoodnetwork.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Food-For-Thought.-Cape-Breton-Food-Facts-1.pdf ↩︎
6. Cape Breton Island Food Network. (2020). OUR SHARED FOOD VISION: What We Heard. The Island Food Network. https://islandfoodnetwork.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/IFN_WhatWeHeard.pdf ↩︎
7. Locally Driven Collaborative Project (LDCP) Healthy Eating. (2018). Food Literacy: A Framework for Healthy Eating. Public Health Ontario. https://www.publichealthontario.ca/-/media/documents/L/2018/ldcp-food-literacy-poster.pdf ↩︎