Maple Leaf Foods CEO Michael McCain says the food crisis is linked to “systemic problems”. Fred Loom / Globe and Mail
A “terrible tragedy” is unfolding in Canada, where 5.8 million people live in food insecurity, said Michael McCain, CEO of Maple Leaf Foods MFI-T.
They do not have adequate access to food due to financial constraints and the total number has been growing steadily over the last 15 years. That figure dropped slightly at the start of the COVID-19 outbreak with the introduction of government pandemic compensation, but is rising again, according to Canadian statistics.
Valerie Tarasuk, a professor of food science who leads a research team on food security at the University of Toronto, estimates that about 16 percent of Canadians live in insecure households.
Among the food companies that were vocal about the ongoing crisis, the answer was to focus on supply – and how to increase it. Other companies responded by raising donations from food banks and other charities.
But in an interview with The Globe and Mail, Mr McCain – who announced earlier this month that he would step down as CEO of Maple Leaf next year – explained why these approaches are based on “myths”.
“Food insecurity is not about food,” he said. “The main drivers of food insecurity [are] no food. Canada has plenty of food. “
Instead, “it’s actually about systemic issues,” Mr McCain said. He pointed to a number of factors related to food insecurity: income inequality, poverty, mental illness, access to skills (including financial and food skills) and racism.
“All these systemic problems are at the root of food insecurity,” he said.
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In 2016, Mr. McCain launched the Maple Leaf Food Security Action Center with the stated goal of reducing food insecurity by 50 percent by 2030. The Center conducts research and provides funding for programs and charities aimed at reducing food insecurity .
Last month, Maple Leaf Foods pledged an additional $ 10 million to the center, bringing the company’s contribution to the charity to $ 20 million. In addition, Mr. McCain personally donated $ 5 million to the cause.
Experts have long stressed that food insecurity is a problem of access, not supply. They often advocate for policy changes aimed at reducing inequality. Such policies include universal basic income, increased social security measures such as child benefits and disability benefits, and better working conditions.
Professor Tarasuk of the University of Toronto reiterated Mr McCain on income as the root cause of the problem. She said organizations such as the Maple Leaf Center are helping to draw attention to the cause.
Given the record high food inflation rates, she said that in the future people with already limited incomes will probably have to compromise the quality of their food even more. But she stressed that income is the cause of food insecurity, not inflation.
“For me, what is causing food price inflation is to shed light on the inadequacy of some income support programs,” said Prof. Tarasuk, “and the need for better attention to adequacy and indexation.”
But she also has complex feelings about a large food company that is taking the lead on such issues.
“Before the pandemic, we know that two-thirds of people with food insecurity were in the workforce, which means we have a lot of companies where people work and can’t make ends meet,” Prof. Tarasuk said.
“And I would largely say that business should have this problem.”
Mr McCain told The Globe that the “vast, vast majority” of Maple Leaf employees received a salary above maintenance. “We are proud of that as a starting point,” he said.
Prof. Tarasuk said CEOs could have an even greater impact by focusing on employment, wages and benefits – and lobbying politicians and other leaders in the business community to do the same.
“We need people who are food-safe employers,” she said. “And we need leadership from the business community on what it’s like to be a secure employer.”
However, according to Mr McCain, although wages may be part of the solution, many solutions are needed – especially given the “painfully complex” nature of the crisis.
“The problem has many dimensions. There are several layers in the solution, “he said.
“And we feel we have something to offer at the table, but only in the context of working with other partners.”
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