One in 10 Finnish families with young children dealing with food insecurity: survey
More than a tenth of new parents responding to a pilot survey by Finland’s National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) say they have feared running out of food because they couldn’t afford a trip to the grocery store.
Around half of those interviewed in person and via written survey gauged their financial situation as poor or moderate. Reija Klemetti, a research director at the THL, says she’s not surprised by the results.
”It’s a big number and a situation that strongly correlates to parents’ educational attainment level,” she explains.
Criticising cuts to services for young families, Klemetti told Yle that ”young families shouldn’t have to waste their energy on worrying about money.”
The THL’s well-being survey targeted 650 families with young children, drawing a response rate of 54 percent. The health watchdog notes that the sample size is not large enough for drawing broad conclusions.
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Canadian PM directs northern minister to update and expand Nutrition North program, CBC News
China: Arctic Indigenous food culture takes the day at international cookbook awards, Eye on the Arctic
Finland: Poor harvest caused by dry summer may force Finnish farmers to slaughter livestock, Yle News
Sweden: Summer drought to drive Swedish meat prices up, Radio Sweden
United States: New farm bill program aims to fight food insecurity in Alaska, Alaska Public Media
