Surrey Instructor Secures Funding to Address Food Security Issues

A health science instructor at Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) has been appointed as a Canada Research Chair and awarded significant federal funding to investigate food security among marginalized communities in Surrey, British Columbia. Dr. Cayley Velazquez will receive $600,000 over the next five years to explore the food security challenges faced by the city’s Black, African, and Caribbean populations.

Surrey hosts British Columbia’s largest self-identifying Black community, which Dr. Velazquez describes as “underserved and under-engaged.” She highlighted in a recent press release from KPU that preliminary data indicates ongoing issues with food security and access to culturally appropriate food options for these groups.

Research Focus and Goals

Dr. Velazquez’s research aims to delve into the cultural, social, economic, and environmental factors affecting food security. The findings will be used to inform food programs and policies tailored to the specific needs of these communities.

“There is a lot of work to be done to strengthen marginalized voices and collectively dismantle barriers being experienced by Black, African and Caribbean groups,” Dr. Velazquez stated. “We want to better understand the availability, accessibility, and utilization of food for this community. The ultimate goal is to use what we learn to inform equitable food programs and policies that meet the needs of all people.”

To conduct this research, Dr. Velazquez will collaborate with Seeds of Change Surrey, an organization dedicated to building resilient and ecologically sustainable food systems.

Background and Broader Impact

Dr. Velazquez brings a wealth of knowledge to this project, having previously researched food security among immigrants and the impact of food access on mental health. Her work is part of the broader initiative under the Canada Research Chair program, which supports research across various disciplines, including health sciences and social sciences.

This funding represents a critical step toward addressing food insecurity in marginalized populations and emphasizes the importance of culturally relevant food options. By focusing on these issues, Dr. Velazquez aims to foster a more inclusive and equitable food system in Surrey, ultimately benefiting the community as a whole.