Hard to Stomach

2020 is a year marked by change. For people who already faced hunger, the pandemic made a bad situation worse. So who stepped in to help? This episode explores how food banks are working to meet increased demand, and asks hard questions about systemic issues causing food insecurity. You’ll also hear from grassroots community groups taking matters of food access into their own hands across the province.

For some, CERB was a financial lifeline. It meant that for the first time in a long while, recipients could afford to keep a stocked fridge. For other Ontarians, the $500 weekly installment didn’t go quite far enough. In this episode you'll hear, firsthand, the impact government assistance can have… and what happens when that support changes.

How do you decide between putting food on the table and buying much-needed medication? In this episode, the focus is on organizations working towards food sovereignty by proposing a new way forward. A future where people don't have to choose between skipping meals or taking care of their health.

One in seven Canadians are affected by food insecurity. Season 2 of Hard to Stomach, hosted by CBC's Jason D'Souza, examines the interconnected issues of economic uncertainty, affordable housing and access to food amidst a global pandemic. All episodes of Season 2 available December 14.

There were more than three million visits to food banks across Ontario at last count. Who are the people behind the numbers? We explore what it’s like to grow up hungry in a food-rich province, and its lasting effects on parents and children. We also dive into how the cost of living can impact every aspect of a person’s life, from Toronto to London, Ontario.

Frozen pizzas and boxed mac and cheese might seem like a treat...until they’re your only option. What happens when your access to fresh food is limited by how much money you have, or how far north you live? We talk about why food accessibility issues persist across Ontario, and hear from dedicated people in Leamington and Mississauga putting fresh produce into the hands of people who need it most.

Food bank use is growing, particularly among working people. So with more people in need of help than ever, why is it still so hard to talk about? Nana aba examines why the stigma around food insecurity still exists, and how misconceptions about hunger impact the lives of half a million people across Ontario.

Food insecurity doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It’s often connected to factors like where you live, your source of income and even your race. While there’s no instant fix for these interconnected issues, solutions have to start somewhere. So we asked the people we’ve heard from throughout the series: what's the one thing that can help you now, or that could have helped you then?

How do you decide between buying bread and keeping the lights on? Why, in a food-rich province, are three million people waiting in food bank lines? What happens when fresh produce is out of reach? Hard to Stomach focuses on real people facing - and fighting against - food insecurity in communities across Ontario from north to south. They could be your co-worker, your neighbour or your friend. In this four-part series, CBC's Nana aba Duncan explores what food insecurity feels and sounds like through the stories of people who have experienced it firsthand.