TMU Researchers Call for Culturally Appropriate Food Programs to Tackle Black Food Insecurity in Toronto

TMU professors call for culturally appropriate food programs as new research reveals Black Torontonians face food insecurity at 3.5 times the rate of white residents.

TORONTO — As food insecurity worsens across Canada, Black Canadians remain the most affected, with researchers from Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) warning that traditional food aid programs are falling short—often due to cultural barriers, stigma, and systemic discrimination.

At Congress 2025, Canada’s largest academic conference, TMU professors Emmanuel Kyeremeh and Julian Hasford will present findings from their groundbreaking demonstration project, which surveyed over 250 people and held more than 95 focus groups with members of Toronto’s Black communities.

“There’s a dire need in Black communities—and it’s not simply a matter of not having enough food,” said Kyeremeh. “Black people are telling us they’re stigmatized, they can’t find culturally appropriate options, and it’s compounding the challenges they already face.”

More Than Hunger: A Crisis of Dignity, Access, and Culture

The study found that Black communities in Toronto are now 3.5 times more likely to experience food insecurity than white residents. But the problem goes beyond scarcity.

According to Hasford, “Some people face outright discrimination at food banks. Others feel deep cultural shame, with one participant saying some would ‘rather die than go to a food bank.’” These findings highlight the urgent need for culturally affirming solutions.

Participants also stressed the importance of accessing fresh, high-quality produce and culturally familiar foods, noting that many staples of the African and Caribbean diet are either prohibitively expensive or simply unavailable. To address this, researchers are now exploring partnerships with grocery stores and urban farmers to improve access.

Community-Led Models Offer Hope

The project builds on the work of Afri-Can FoodBasket (AFB), a Toronto-based non-profit that delivers fresh, culturally appropriate food directly to vulnerable Black families. AFB also runs pop-up food pantries, with support from the Black Health Alliance and funding from the Walmart Foundation.

New programming is expected this summer, including initiatives to refer more families to AFB’s services and increase culturally relevant food education.

“A lot of what people talk about is dignity,” said Hasford. “Part of living a healthy life is eating foods that are familiar and fresh.”

The researchers hope the final outcomes of the project will inform not just food program design, but also broader policy on poverty, employment discrimination, and health equity for Black Canadians.

Congress 2025: A Platform for Change

The research will be presented at Congress 2025, taking place May 30 to June 6 in Toronto. This year’s theme, “Reframing Togetherness,” brings together over 7,000 participants to tackle the world’s most pressing challenges by bridging divides in knowledge and lived experience.

Public access to Congress events is available through a $30 community pass, with more information at:
federationhss.ca/en/congress2025

Diaspora Pulse: Capturing the heartbeat of Afro-Caribbean communities across Canada and the diaspora.

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