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Food Freedom
!!! quote "Drive-Thru Philosophy" "Friend Tim Hortons stopped being food a long time ago; lets at least demand the sludge is free"
Call RJ Sigurdson, Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation{ .md-button } Email Minister of Agriculture{ .md-button }
Call Jason Nixon, Minister of Assisted Living and Social Services{ .md-button } Email Minister of Assisted Living and Social Services{ .md-button }
Why Should Food Be Free?
Because somehow, in our province with more cattle than people, we still have folks going hungry. And no, living off energy drinks and beef jerky isn't a sustainable diet plan for any of us.
Our Current "Freedom" System
!!! example "The Alberta Food Chain" 1. We work overtime 2. We check grocery prices 3. We consider taking up hunting 4. We realize ammo costs more than meat 5. We eat ramen... again 6. We blame inflation
What Real Food Freedom Looks Like
- Basic nutrition for all of us (and we mean actual food, not just Kraft Dinner)
- Fresh produce (yes, even in our winter)
- Quality protein (beyond whatever's on sale at Superstore)
- Cultural food options (poutine isn't our only food group)
- Local food security (because trucking everything from California isn't sustainable)
But What About Our Farmers?!
!!! info "Plot Twist" Here's a crazy idea: we could pay our farmers to grow food for everyone, not just those who can afford farmers' market prices. Revolutionary, we know. And then we could cut out the vampires who make a profit on peoples hunger.
The Economic Freedom Argument
When we all have good food:
- Our healthcare costs drop
- Our kids do better in school
- Our workers are more productive
- We're all less hangry at traffic
What We're Missing
- Community gardens
- Food security programs
- Local food distribution networks
- Education about cooking and nutrition
- Actually using all our farmland for food (not just canola oil)
!!! tip "Pro Freedom Tip" If we think free basic food is communist, let's hear about school lunches in other countries. Spoiler: their kids aren't doing basic necessities swaps on the playground.
The Bottom Line
Food freedom means never having to choose between paying our bills and eating well. It means understanding that a well-fed population is a productive population (shocking revelation).
!!! warning "Reality Check" Our freedom to choose between different brands of instant noodles isn't actually freedom - it's just colorful malnutrition.
Ready to feed a freer Alberta? Let's share this with our friends and make sure that nobody ever goes hungry on this land again.
Sources & Evidence
Food Bank Crisis
- Food bank usage in Alberta increased 21.8% in 2025 alone
- In 2023, Alberta was ranked the most food insecure province in Canada
- Working families now represent a major portion of food bank users
- Food costs are rising faster than wages
- Source: Food Banks Alberta Annual Report
- Source: Food Banks Canada - HungerCount Report
Rural Food Deserts
- Rural communities face "food deserts" - areas without access to affordable, healthy food
- Small grocery stores closing in rural Alberta
- Food transportation costs add significant burden to rural residents
- Source: Rural Health Professions Action Plan
Grocery Profiteering
- Grocery chains posted record profits while food prices increased
- Corporate consolidation has concentrated power in few retailers
- Local farmers struggle while food prices soar
- Source: Competition Bureau Canada - Grocery sector study
Agricultural Paradox
- Alberta produces vast amounts of food yet has high food insecurity
- Local food systems remain underdeveloped
- Food processing capacity leaving the province
- Source: Alberta Agriculture Statistics
