The harsh autumn winds sweeping across Cambridge Bay bring a familiar chill that has nothing to do with the weather. As students return to school across Nunavut, families in outlying hamlets face a crisis that threatens their children’s most basic needs – food security.
“We’re hearing from parents who simply can’t afford proper lunches for their kids,” explains Mary Avalak, chair of Cambridge Bay’s District Education Authority (DEA). “Some children are showing up to class hungry, and that’s something no community should accept.”
The territory’s food voucher program, designed to provide nutritional support for vulnerable families, has fallen short in several hamlets surrounding Cambridge Bay. Parents who relied on last year’s $400-per-child support have been left waiting, with no clear timeline for when – or if – the assistance will resume.
At Kiilinik High School, teachers have quietly started pooling resources to help feed students who arrive without lunches. It’s a stopgap measure that highlights the severity of the situation, but one that can’t replace formal support systems.
“Teachers shouldn’t have to reach into their own pockets to feed our children,” says Avalak. “The voucher program was a lifeline for many families, especially with food costs being what they are up here.”
Food prices in Nunavut communities typically run two to three times higher than southern Canada. A recent survey by Food Banks Canada found that a basic grocery basket costing $240 in Toronto would cost nearly $600 in Cambridge Bay – a reality that makes food vouchers essential rather than supplementary for many families.
The Department of Education confirms the program is under review but hasn’t committed to a specific timeline for its return. In a statement, spokesperson Sarah Netser acknowledged the challenges: “We understand the importance of these nutrition supports and are working to ensure any reinstated program is sustainable and reaches those most in need.”
For Avalak and other community leaders, that vague reassurance offers little comfort as the school year progresses. The food security crisis is particularly concerning given research from the Nunavut Food Security Coalition that shows direct correlations between proper nutrition and educational outcomes.
“Students who are hungry simply can’t focus on learning,” notes Dr. James Taloyoak, an educational psychologist who has worked extensively in Nunavut schools. “We’re potentially compromising an entire generation’s education by not addressing this fundamental need.”
Community response has been swift, if limited in scope. The local Northern Store has implemented a small discount program for families with school-age children, while the hunters and trappers association has organized several community hunts to distribute country food to families in need.
“Country food is our traditional solution to food insecurity,” explains elder Bessie Omilgoetok. “But the reality is that many younger families rely on store-bought foods for daily lunches, and that’s where the vouchers made such a difference.”
The issue has sparked heated discussions at recent hamlet council meetings, with some pointing to broader systemic problems in how support programs are implemented in the North. Council member Peter Kapolak expressed frustration that program reviews often leave communities hanging.
“We understand the need for fiscal responsibility, but when programs disappear without clear alternatives, it’s always our most vulnerable who suffer first,” Kapolak noted during last week’s public meeting.
The timing of the voucher shortage couldn’t be worse. September marks the beginning of the school year when establishing good attendance patterns is crucial. Educators worry that food insecurity could lead to increased absenteeism, compounding educational challenges already facing northern communities.
Principal Elizabeth Hakongak reports that attendance in the first two weeks has been noticeably lower than previous years. “We can’t definitely attribute this to food insecurity, but it’s certainly a factor we’re concerned about,” she explains. “When children know there’s no lunch, some simply choose to stay home.”
The Canadian Teachers’ Federation has highlighted Nunavut’s situation as part of a broader concern about food security in northern schools. In their 2023 report “Learning on Empty,” the federation documented how nutrition programs are increasingly essential components of educational success in remote communities.
For now, Cambridge Bay’s education authority is working to find interim solutions. A partnership with the local co-op has established a modest emergency lunch program, and the DEA has applied for supplemental funding from various federal programs.
“We’re doing what we can with limited resources,” says Avalak. “But what families really need is the reinstatement of the voucher program – something reliable they can count on throughout the school year.”
As the community waits for answers from territorial authorities, the calendar pages keep turning. Each day without support means more children potentially missing meals and educational opportunities – a cost that can’t be calculated in dollars alone.
“This isn’t just about food,” Avalak emphasizes. “This is about giving our children the foundation they need to learn, grow, and eventually lead our communities. When we can’t even ensure they have lunch, we’re failing at the most basic level.”
For Cambridge Bay families, the wait continues – along with the daily challenge of filling lunch boxes in one of Canada’s most expensive food markets.
