Kristin Burnett1, Kelly Skinner2, Travis Hay3, Joseph LeBlanc4, Lori Chambers5. 1. Department of Indigenous Learning, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. 2. School of Public Health and Health Systems, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. 3. Department of History, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 4. Social Planning Council of Sudbury, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. 5. Department of Women's Studies, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: This paper looks at the market food environments of First Nations communities located in the provincial Norths by examining the potential retail competition faced by the North West Company (NWC) and by reporting on the grocery shopping experiences of people living in northern Canada. METHODS: We employed two methodological approaches to assess northern retail food environments. First, we mapped food retailers in the North to examine the breadth of retail competition in the provincial Norths, focussing specifically on those communities without year-round road access. Second, we surveyed people living in communities in northern Canada about their retail and shopping experiences. RESULTS: Fifty-four percent of communities in the provincial Norths and Far North without year-round road access did not have a grocery store that competed with the NWC. The provinces with the highest percentage of northern communities without retail competition were Ontario (87%), Saskatchewan (83%) and Manitoba (72%). Respondents to the survey (n = 92) expressed concern about their shopping experiences in three main areas: the cost of food, food quality and freshness, and availability of specific foods. CONCLUSION: There is limited retail competition in the provincial Norths. In Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Ontario, the NWC has no store competition in at least 70% of northern communities. Consumers living in northern Canada find it difficult to afford nutritious foods and would like access to a wider selection of perishable foods in good condition.
INTRODUCTION: This paper looks at the market food environments of First Nations communities located in the provincial Norths by examining the potential retail competition faced by the North West Company (NWC) and by reporting on the grocery shopping experiences of people living in northern Canada. METHODS: We employed two methodological approaches to assess northern retail food environments. First, we mapped food retailers in the North to examine the breadth of retail competition in the provincial Norths, focussing specifically on those communities without year-round road access. Second, we surveyed people living in communities in northern Canada about their retail and shopping experiences. RESULTS: Fifty-four percent of communities in the provincial Norths and Far North without year-round road access did not have a grocery store that competed with the NWC. The provinces with the highest percentage of northern communities without retail competition were Ontario (87%), Saskatchewan (83%) and Manitoba (72%). Respondents to the survey (n = 92) expressed concern about their shopping experiences in three main areas: the cost of food, food quality and freshness, and availability of specific foods. CONCLUSION: There is limited retail competition in the provincial Norths. In Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Ontario, the NWC has no store competition in at least 70% of northern communities. Consumers living in northern Canada find it difficult to afford nutritious foods and would like access to a wider selection of perishable foods in good condition.
Authors: Leia M Minaker; Alanna Shuh; Dana L Olstad; Rachel Engler-Stringer; Jennifer L Black; Catherine L Mah Journal: Can J Public Health Date: 2016-06-09
Authors: Tiff-Annie Kenny; Matthew Little; Tad Lemieux; P Joshua Griffin; Sonia D Wesche; Yoshitaka Ota; Malek Batal; Hing Man Chan; Melanie Lemire Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-11-27 Impact factor: 3.390