Are we treating food insecurity as solely a food problem when it's fundamentally an income issue?

Most policy responses address food insecurity only after people are already struggling. Food banks, vouchers, subsidised meals, and emergency support play vital roles, but they respond to income insecurity rather than prevent it.

Following World Food Day (October 16th) with this year's theme "Innovate today. Nourish tomorrow.", UBI Lab Food is hosting a discussion exploring whether Universal Basic Income (UBI) offers a more proactive solution to nourish the nation.

After our speakers talks, we'll open the floor for discussion. We'd love to hear your views on UBI's potential role as a necessary precondition for food security.

Speakers:

• Matt Noble, Founder and Executive Director, Toronto Vegetarian Food Bank

Matt leads the Toronto Vegetarian Food Bank, providing nutritious plant-based food to families facing poverty. He also spearheads the Put Food Banks Out Of Business (PFOB) initiative, a national Canadian campaign advocating for guaranteed, liveable basic income as the most effective policy solution for poverty and food insecurity.

• Dr David Beck, Lecturer in Social Policy, University of Salford

David's research sits at the intersection of food poverty and UBI, examining how neoliberalism and welfare policy changes impact households' ability to feed themselves and their families. He explores both practical and theoretical aspects of social security and the potential of UBI as a solution to food insecurity.