Reducing the stigma around food insecurity is one of the key goals of Food first NL’s latest report, Rethinking Food Charity.

The report was release earlier this week, and contains numerous recommendations on the accessibility of food and the stigma of needing to avail of things like food banks.

Executive director Josh Smee says protecting the dignity of people who are food insecure is “critical,” noting that they’ve heard about such issues from those with lived experience.

Smee says most people who are food insecure don’t avail of food programs.

He’s heard that people feel “too much stigma and shame” which prevents them from accessing supports. They want to make sure people can reach out and get the help they need.