[[Skip the introduction|Character]]
Welcome to the Food Security Quest!
Each year more than 500,000 households in Ontario, Canada experience food insecurity.
Food insecurity occurs when one lacks physical and economic access to sufficient, safe, nutritious, and culturally acceptable food.
Each time your character must compromise on the quantity and/or quality of food, your food insecurity score will go up!
Food costs money, so does housing, utilities, transportation, and other expenses. Lack of income, and the debt that comes with it, are the strongest predictors of food insecurity in Canada. As you spend and gain money, the amount of money available to your character will decrease or increase.
Trying to stay food secure can be stressful. It can also take time and energy away from personal goals and family. Lack of nutrition can also hurt physical and mental health.
As you gain (or lose) social connections and meet (or fail to meet) personal goals your holistic wellbeing score will go up and down.
[[Pick a game character|Character]]
Use the links to learn about the four characters: Dawn, Dolores, Saad, and Maxine.
[[Dawn|Dawn]]
[[Dolores|Dolores]]
[[Saad|Saad]]
[[Maxine|Maxine]][[Skip the description, go directly to game play|DawnBlock1]]
About Dawn: Single female, age 59, of European background, no children, works as a contract truck driver.
Situation: Lives in a rural area in Ontario. Has just been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. Until her diabetes stabilizes she is unable to drive.
Main strength: Time
Main weakness: Health concerns
Starting money: $1500
Starting wellbeing: 50 points (out of 100)
Starting food insecurity: 0 points (out of 10)
The Quest: Help Dawn avoid food insecurity as she learns to manage her diabetes and return to work.
[[Play the game as Dawn|DawnBlock1]]
[[Return to the character selection screen|Character]][[Skip the description, go directly to game play|DoloresBlock1]]
About Dolores: First Nations single mother (age 27) with two sons, Alex (age 9) and Nick (age 6).
Situation: Has just finished her nursing degree and has $25,000 in student loan debt. Is moving with her children to an urban area in Ontario to start a new nursing job.
Main strength: Connection to First Nations identity.
Main weakness: High debt, little time
Starting money: $3,500
Starting wellbeing: 50 points (out of 100)
Starting food insecurity: 0 points (out of 10)
The Quest: Help Dolores avoid food insecurity and build new community connections as she and her children get set:tled in a new city.
[[Play the game as Dolores|DoloresBlock1]]
[[Return to the character selection screen|Character]][[Skip the description, go directly to game play|SaadBlock1]]
About Saad: Age 36, Syrian, former math teacher. Married with three young children. Wife, Aya, is pregnant with their fourth child.
Situation: Government Assistant Refugees (GARs) from Syria. Aya is on medical bed rest until the end of her pregnancy. The family follows a Halal diet.
Main strength: Time. Strong faith and resiliency
Main weakness: Limited English language skills
Starting money: $500
Starting wellbeing: 30 points (out of 100)
Starting food insecurity: 0 points (out of 10)
The Quest: Help Saad and his family avoid food insecurity as they learn to live on a fixed income and adjust to life in Canada.
[[Play the game as Saad|SaadBlock1]]
[[Return to the character selection screen|Character]][[Skip the description, go directly to game play|MaxBlock1]]
About Maxine: aka “Max”, of European background, 18 years old, grew up in a working class home. Max’s relationship with her parents has been rocky since she came out to them as a lesbian.
Situation: Max is leaving home to attend university in a large city. She is excited to be away from her parents and to live alone. She has limited cooking skills and a nut allergy.
Main Strength: Resilient and resourceful
Main Weaknesses: No money from her family
Starting Money: $1000 + $15,800 financial aid
Starting Wellness: 70 (out of 100)
Starting food insecurity: 0 points (out of 10)
The Quest: Help Max avoid food insecurity as she financially supports herself and embarks on her first year at University.
[[Play the game as Max|MaxBlock1]]
[[Return to the character selection screen|Character]](set: $money to $money + 1500)
(set: $well to $well + 50)
(set: $food to $food + 0)
You start the game with:
$(Print: $money) money
(Print: $well) wellbeing points
(Print: $food) food insecurity points
You have just learned that you have Type 2 Diabetes. You will need to start taking insulin immediately.
It costs you $300 just to get started. (set: $money to $money - 300)
Unfortunately, you will need to stop driving until you learn to manage your diabetes. (set: $well to $well - 5)
You are a truck driver and reliant on driving for an income, so this is very bad news. (set: $well to $well - 5)
You are urged to attend a diabetes management course on Monday. But, you happen to be scheduled for a truck driving contract on that day.
[[Cancel your contract and sign up for the course.|DawnCancel]]
[[Finish the contract. You need the money.|DawnDrive]]
[[Go home and rest. You can decide later.|DawnWeekend]](set: $money to $money + 3500)
(set: $well to $well + 50)
(set: $food to $food + 0)
You start the game with:
$(Print: $money) money
(Print: $well) wellbeing points
(Print: $food) food insecurity points
You have managed to save $3,500 to finance your move.
You have a $500 limit on your credit card. If you go more than $500 in debt, you will incur large overdraw penalties.
You need to find an apartment in your new city. What would you like to do?
[[Make a trip to the new city to see the apartments in person.|DeeTrip]]
[[Try to secure an apartment online.|DeeRentOnline]]
[[Reach out to a Friendship Center.|DeeFriendship]](set: $money to $money + 500)
(set: $well to $well + 30)
(set: $food to $food + 0)
You start the game with:
$(Print: $money) money
(Print: $well) wellbeing points
(Print: $food) food insecurity points
At present you are living in a hotel room with your wife and daughters. Food preparation is difficult.
You would like to find more permanent housing. You could afford more if you had a job, but your
English language skills are limited.
[[Find better housing.|SaadHousing]]
[[Find employment.|SaadJob]]
[[Sign up for English language classes.|SaadEnglish]](set: $money to $money + 0)
(set: $well to $well + 70)
(set: $food to $food + 0)
Congratulations! You have been accepted to your top choice engineering program.
You qualify for $15,800 in student financial aid. (set: $money to $money + 15800)
Your tuition costs of $6,000 are automatically deducted from that financial aid. (set: $money to $money - 6000)
(set: $money to $money - 8820) This leaves you with just $[$money] to pay your living expenses each month.
Fortunately, you also have $1000 saved from your summer job to help with the move. (set: $money to $money + 1000)
You currently have a credit card with a $500 spending limit. If you go more than $500 in debt, you will pay higher interest penalties.
You start the game with:
$(Print: $money) money
(Print: $well) wellbeing points
(Print: $food) food insecurity points
Your first big financial decision: Where will you live?
[[Look at online ads for an apartments.|MaxOnline]]
[[Look into living in the campus residence halls.|MaxDorm]]
[[Visit the city to find a place to live.|MaxVisit]]You sign up for the class and cancel your contract. You are forced to refund the $250 advance you received. (set: $money to $money - 250)
On the plus side, you learn from your boss that the company will hold your job for you while you go on an unpaid medical leave. (set: $well to $well + 20)
Still, even being temporarily unemployed puts you at risk for food insecurity. (set: $food to $food + 2.0)
[[Go to your first diabetes management class.|DawnBlock2]]You show up for work on Monday. The job involves a six hour drive to pick up a load and then a six hour drive back.
As you drive, you start to feel dizzy and your vision gets blurry. You cross the centre line and almost cause an accident!
You are pulled over and fined $500 for careless driving. (set: $money to $money - 500)
You get fired as soon as your boss finds out. (set: $well to $well - 20)
Being unemployed puts you at high risk for food insecurity. (set: $food to $food + 2)
You’d better get a handle on your condition soon!
[[Sign up for the diabetes management course.|DawnBlock2]]You need time to process all of this. Perhaps learning more about your condition will help ease your mind.
[[Call Dietitians of Ontario for advice|DawnDO]]
[[Call a cousin who is living with Type 2 diabetes|DawnCousin]]
[[Use the internet to learn more diabetes|DawnInternet]]You currently have:
$(Print: $money) money
(Print: $well) wellbeing points
(Print: $food) food insecurity points
The diabetes management class is in the next town over. Getting to and from class is going to be a problem.
Your roommate could drive you, but you do not want to inconvenience her. A cab/car service will cost you $35 each way. Maybe you should just risk it and drive yourself?
[[Ask your roommate for a ride|DawnRoommate]]
[[Pay for a cab/car service|DawnCab]]
[[Drive yourself|DawnRiskIt]]You call the Dietitians of Ontario. The nurse gives you a lot of helpful information. (set: $well to $well + 15)
She also urges you to call in sick to your job and sign up for a diabetes management class. Still, you could really use the money.
[[Cancel your contract and sign up for the class.|DawnCancel]]
[[Finish the contract on Monday. You need the money.|DawnDrive]]Your cousin offers you a lot of encouragement. Talking to her makes things feel less overwhelming. (set: $well to $well + 15)
You still have to decide about Monday, however.
[[Cancel your contract and sign up for the class.|DawnCancel]]
[[Finish the contract on Monday. You need the money.|DawnDrive]]You search the internet, but the amount of information on Type 2 diabetes is overwhelming.
You feel even more stressed out then you did before. (set: $well to $well - 5)
[[Call Dietitians of Ontario for advice|DawnDO]]
[[Cancel your contract and sign up for the class.|DawnCancel]]
[[Finish the contract on Monday. You need the money.|DawnDrive]]You ask your roommate for a ride. She can take you this time but she can’t promise that she’ll be available next time.
You feel like a burden, but you are grateful for the ride this time. (set: $well to $well - 5)
You arrive at the hospital with spare time. You feel hungry. What would you like to eat?
[[A donut and a coffee, $5.00 |DawnDonut]]
[[A veggie omelet and toast, $8.00 |DawnCafe]]
[[A fruit smoothie and health muffin, $10.00 |DawnMuffin]]It costs you $70 to order a car to drive you to and from the hospital on Monday morning. (set: $money to $money - 70)
You have been instructed to eat breakfast before you arrive so they can show you how to test your glucose levels during class.
You do not have any groceries at home so you walk to the nearby convenience store. What would you like to eat?
[[A cinnamon roll with cream cheese frosting, $2.50|DawnCinnamon]]
[[An egg breakfast sandwich and a banana, $5.00|DawnSandwich]]
[[Yoghurt topped with granola cereal and juice, $7.00|DawnYoghurt]]You miscalculate your insulin dose before leaving the house and pass out at a stop light.
Fortunately nobody is hurt, but an ambulance is called and your car is towed. (set: $well to $well - 20)
It will cost you $200 to get your car out of impound. (set: $money to $money - 200)
You make it to the hospital (by ambulance), but you spend the time in the Emergency Room, not in your diabetes management class. (set: $well to $well - 5)
You have signed up for a new class that starts on Wednesday. How will you get there?
[[Ask your roommate for a ride|DawnRoommate]]
[[Pay for a cab/car service|DawnCab]]You know the donut is not ideal, but it is the cheapest option. (set: $money to $money - 5)
At the beginning of class they show you how to test your blood glucose levels. They are way too high. (set: $well to $well - 5)
Not being able to afford healthy foods puts you at risk for food insecurity. (set: $food to $food + 1)
Cost savings or not, you need to make better food choices.
[[Pay your bills|DawnBlock3]]You are craving eggs, so you choose the veggie omelet and toast. (set: $money to $money - 8)
At the beginning of class they show you how to test your blood glucose levels.
Your glucose levels are close to where they should be after eating a meal. You made a wise breakfast choice. (set: $well to $well + 10)
[[Pay your bills|DawnBlock3]]You choose what seems like the healthiest breakfast option.(set: $money to $money - 10)
At the beginning of class they show you how to test your blood glucose levels.
Your glucose levels are way too high. The breakfast foods you chose were loaded with sugar. (set: $well to $well - 5)
Not knowing which foods to eat to manage your diabetes puts you at risk for food insecurity. (set: $food to $food + 1)
[[Pay your bills|DawnBlock3]]Your monthly rent ($600) and utilities ($150) are due. (set: $money to $money - 750)
You now have:
$(Print: $money) money
You do not know when you will be able to return to work. How are you going to keep paying bills and buying food? (set: $food to $food + 1.0)
You can borrow $2000 from your retirement account or use your credit card to pay your expenses until you can return to work.
[[Borrow from your retirement fund|DawnRetirement]]
[[Live off of your credit card|DawnCreditCard]]You know the cinnamon roll is not ideal, but it is the cheapest option. (set: $money to $money - 2.50)
At the beginning of class they show you how to test your blood glucose levels. They are way too high. (set: $well to $well - 5)
Not being able to afford healthy foods puts you at risk for food insecurity. (set: $food to $food + 1)
Cost savings or not, you need to make better food choices. (set: $well to $well - 5)
[[Pay your bills|DawnBlock3]]At the beginning of class they show you how to test your blood glucose levels.
Your glucose levels are close to where they should be after eating a meal. You made a wise breakfast choice. (set: $well to $well + 10)
[[Pay your bills|DawnBlock3]]You choose what seems like the healthiest breakfast option.(set: $money to $money - 7)
At the beginning of class they show you how to test your blood glucose levels.
Your glucose levels are way too high. The breakfast foods you chose were loaded with sugar. (set: $well to $well - 5)
Not knowing which foods to eat to manage your diabetes puts you at risk for food insecurity. (set: $food to $food + 1)
[[Pay your bills|DawnBlock3]]You borrow $2000 from your retirement account. (set: $money to $money + 2000)
You are surprised to learn that you must pay $300 in taxes and fees on the withdrawal. (set: $money to $money - 300)
Long term this withdrawal could cost you a lot of money and significantly delay your retirement. (set: $well to $well - 20)
But what else are you going to do? You need money now in order to pay bills and to eat.
[[Buy groceries.|DawnBuyGroceries]]You receive a $500 line of credit with a 19% annual percentage rate. If you are more than $500 in debt the interest penalties will be higher.
Debt spending will hurt your long term financial stability, putting you at even higher risk for food insecurity. (set: $food to $food + 1)
But what else are you going to do? You need money now in order to pay bills and to eat.
[[Buy groceries.|DawnBuyGroceries]]You need to buy groceries, but the grocery store is across town. The only thing within walking distance is a convenience store.
[[Ask your roommate to drive you.|DawnGas]]
[[Walk to the convenience store.|DawnJunk150]]
[[Try to order groceries online.|DawnOnline]]Your roommate agrees to drive you to the grocery store, but it costs you $30 to buy her a tank of gas. (set: $money to $money - 30)
You’d like to buy enough lean proteins, whole grain starches, and fresh fruits and vegetables to last you two weeks. How much can you afford to spend?
[[$250|DawnGrocery250]]
[[$200|DawnGrocery200]]
[[$150|DawnGrocery150]]For $150, you buy a bunch of convenience foods. (set: $money to $money - 150)
The convenience foods are cheap, but they are made with a lot of sodium and simple carbohydrates. (set: $well to $well - 5)
The poor quality of food puts you at risk for food insecurity. (set: $food to $food + 2)
Your blood glucose levels continue to test high and you remain frustrated by your progress in managing your diabetes. (set: $well to $well - 10)
[[Go to your doctor’s appointment.|DawnBlock4]]Online shopping options are limited in your area. The price of groceries and shipping costs are high, but they have everything you need.
[[Order groceries online.|DawnOrder]]
[[Ask your roommate to drive you to the grocery store.|DawnGas]]
[[Walk to a convenience store.|DawnJunk150]]For $250, you are able to buy plenty of ingredients to make yourself healthy meals three times per day. (set: $money to $money - 250)
You test your blood with each meal and gain a better understanding of what foods will stabilize your blood glucose levels. (set: $well to $well + 10)
You still have a lot to learn, but so far you are doing great! (set: $well to $well + 10)
[[Go to your doctor’s appointment.|DawnBlock4]]You try to stick to your budget, but the groceries in your cart are going to cost more than $200.
What would you like to do?
[[Spend the money to buy everything on your list.|DawnGrocery250]]
[[Buy fewer fresh foods and more convenience foods.|DawnJunk150]]
[[Stick to fresh and healthy foods. Just buy less of them.|DawnLess]]You try to stick to your budget, but the grocery bill is adding up. You are not going to be able to get everything on your list for $150.
[[Spend the money to buy everything on your list.|DawnGrocery250]]
[[Stick to fresh and healthy foods. Just buy less of them.|DawnLess]]
[[Buy cheaper convenience foods.|DawnJunk150]]You currently have:
$(Print: $money) money
(Print: $well) wellbeing points
(Print: $food) food insecurity points
You have a doctor’s appointment across town. Your roommate is not available, so it costs you $50 take a cab/car service. (set: $money to $money - 50)
At your appointment, you learn that your blood sugar is still not controlled enough to be given medical clearance to return to your job. (set: $well to $well - 10)
It is also time to refill your prescriptions. The total cost for this round of drugs is $100. (set: $money to $money - 100)
The doctor also tells you that you need to eat better, exercise more, and lose weight. What do you want to do?
[[Join the gym near your house.|DawnGym]]
[[Join a support group at the hospital.|DawnSupport]]
[[Join an online support group.|DawnForum]]You buy healthy foods, just in fewer quantities. The groceries still cost you $200. (set: $money to $money - 200)
You try making smaller meals to make the groceries stretch, but in doing so you just feel hungry all of the time. (set: $well to $well - 5)
Without enough food to eat, your risk of food insecurity increases. (set: $food to $food + 1)
Your blood glucose levels continue to test high and you remain frustrated by your progress in managing your diabetes. (set: $well to $well - 5)
[[Go to your doctor’s appointment.|DawnBlock4]]You fill your online shopping cart with vegetables, whole grain starches, and lean protein; enough to last you two weeks.
After tax and shipping, the total bill will be $350! What do you do?
[[Spend the money to buy everything on your list.|DawnOnline350]]
[[Stick to buying fresh foods. Just buy less of them.|DawnOnline250]]
[[Buy cheaper convenience foods.|DawnOnline200]]You spend $350 to buy all of the healthy groceries on your list. (set: $money to $money - 350)
You test your blood three times daily and you are starting to gain a better understanding of what foods to eat to manage your diabetes. (set: $well to $well + 10)
You still have a long way to go, but so far you are doing great! (set: $well to $well + 10)
[[Go to your doctor’s appointment.|DawnBlock4]]You choose to buy healthy foods, just in fewer quantities. The groceries still cost you $250. (set: $money to $money - 250)
You try to make smaller meals to make the groceries last longer, but in doing so you just feel hungry all of the time. (set: $well to $well - 5)
Without enough food to eat, your risk of food insecurity increases. (set: $food to $food + 1)
Your blood glucose levels continue to test high and you remain frustrated by your progress in managing your diabetes. (set: $well to $well - 5)
[[Go to your doctor’s appointment.|DawnBlock4]]To stick to your budget, you buy $200 of cheap processed foods. (set: $money to $money - 200)
These foods are low in nutrition, which increases your risk of food insecurity. (set: $food to $food + 2)
Your blood glucose levels continue to test high and you remain frustrated by your progress in managing your diabetes. (set: $well to $well - 5)
[[Go to your doctor’s appointment.|DawnBlock4]]The gym is an easy walk from your house. To join the gym you must be able to pay for a $100 sign-up fee plus a $40 per month membership fee.
[[Pay to join the gym.|DawnJoin]]
[[Join the support group at the hospital, instead.|DawnSupport]]
[[Join an online support group, instead.|DawnForum]]You sign up for a free online support service. Each day you receive an email with fitness tips and recipe suggestions.
Per the recommendation of the fitness tips, you start walking each day.
After several weeks of walking, you have not lost any weight, but your blood sugar has started to stabilize. This is a good start. (set: $well to $well + 10)
[[Try some new recipes.|DawnBlock5]]You spend $50 to take a cab to the hospital and back to attend a support group meeting. (set: $money to $money - 50)
The meeting is great and they are able to connect you with a carpool to and from the hospital. (set: $well to $well + 5)
You start going into the hospital three times per week for exercise classes, nutrition counseling, and the support group. (set: $well to $well + 15)
After two weeks, you lose 5 pounds and your blood glucose levels are much more stable! (set: $well to $well + 15)
[[Try some new recipes.|DawnBlock5]]For $140, you sign up for a gym membership. Membership includes three personal training sessions. (set: $money to $money - 140)
The personal training sessions are beneficial, and it becomes a fun and healthy way to fill the time. (set: $well to $well + 10)
After two weeks of working out regularly, you lose 5 pounds and your blood sugar starts to stabilize! (set: $well to $well + 10)
[[Try to improve your diet.|DawnBlock5]]You currently have:
$(Print: $money) money
(Print: $well) wellbeing points
(Print: $food) food insecurity points
You have a list of ingredients to try some new recipes. You’ll need to buy more groceries. What would you like to do?
[[Take a cab/car service to the grocery store.|DawnCarService]]
[[Try to order groceries online.|DawnOnline2]]
[[Go to a food bank.|DawnFoodBank]]It costs you $50 to get a cab/car service to drive you to and from the store. (set: $money to $money - 50)
It will cost you $175 to buy all of the fresh meats, vegetables, fruits, and whole grains that are needed for the recipes you want to try.
[[Buy all $175 worth of groceries|DawnBuy175]]
[[Put some of the groceries back |DawnBuy125]]
[[Buy cheaper, convenience foods instead|DawnBuy75]]There is an online grocer that will deliver groceries to your area, but the groceries are overpriced and the shipping costs are high.
It will cost you $250 to buy all of the fresh meats, vegetables, fruits, and whole grains that you need for the next two weeks.
[[Buy all $250 worth of groceries.|DawnOrder250]]
[[Buy cheaper groceries instead.|DawnOrder175]]
[[Go to a food bank, instead.|DawnFoodBank]]The food bank is run by an organization that supports views for which you strongly disagree.
You are conflicted: you are running out of money to buy food, but you do not want to support this organization in any way shape or form.
[[Go to the food bank anyway.|DawnGoAnyway]]
[[Go to the grocery store, instead.|DawnCarService]]
[[Try to order groceries online.|DawnOnline2]]You are able to buy all of the groceries that you need to make yourself healthy meals three times per day. (set: $money to $money - 175)
Within a few weeks, your blood glucose levels are starting to stabilize even more (set: $well to $well + 10)
[[Pay your rent|DawnBlock6]]You put back the fresh meats and vegetables and buy $125 of cheaper convenience foods. (set: $money to $money - 125)
You know that junk food is not recommended, but the alternatives are too expensive. The severity of your food insecurity is increasing. (set: $food to $food + 1)
Your blood glucose levels continue to test high and you remain dependent on insulin. (set: $well to $well - 10)
[[Pay your rent|DawnBlock6]]You buy a bag of rice, a bag of beans, canned vegetables, and canned tuna. It is all you can afford. (set: $money to $money - 75)
The food is bland and unappetizing. You feel hungry all of the time. The severity of your food insecurity is increasing. (set: $food to $food + 2)
Your blood glucose levels continue to test high and you remain dependent on insulin. (set: $well to $well - 10)
[[Pay your rent|DawnBlock6]]You currently have:
$(Print: $money) money
(Print: $well) wellbeing points
(Print: $food) food insecurity points
Your rent and utilities are due. You cannot use a credit card to pay these bills.
[[Pay your rent|DawnPayRent]]
[[Borrow money from your retirement|DawnRentRetirement]]
[[Borrow money from a relative|DawnRentRelative]]For $250, you are able to buy all of the groceries that you will need to last two weeks. (set: $money to $money - 250)
Using these ingredients, you make yourself healthy meals and your blood glucose levels start to stabilize even more. (set: $well to $well + 10)
[[Pay your rent|DawnBlock6]]You replace a lot of the fresh meats and vegetables with cheaper convenience foods. The groceries cost you $175. (set: $money to $money - 175)
The convenience foods are unhealthy and bland. The low nutrition and lack of variety increases your risk for food insecurity. (set: $food to $food + 2)
Your blood glucose levels continue to test high. (set: $well to $well - 5)
[[Pay your rent|DawnBlock6]]The food bank requires that you meet with one of their counsellors before you can get food.
The counselling appointment is condescending and not helpful. (set: $well to $well - 10)
In addition, the food bank offers mainly unhealthy processed foods. The low nutrition offerings increase your risk for food insecurity. (set: $food to $food + 1)
Your blood glucose levels continue to test high. (set: $well to $well - 10)
[[Pay your rent|DawnBlock6]]Your rent and utilities cost $750. (set: $money to $money - 750) You now have $[$money].
Your niece is getting married. A cousin can give you a ride if you agree to split the cost of gas.
[[Decline the invitation, focus on your health.|DawnDecline]]
[[Accept the invitation, family is important.|DawnAccept]]You borrow $1000 from your retirement account. (set: $money to $money + 1000)
You must pay taxes and fees on the withdrawal. (set: $money to $money - 150)
Long term this withdrawal could cost you a lot of money and significantly delay your retirement. (set: $well to $well - 20)
[[Pay your rent.|DawnPayRent]]It is humiliating to call your family for money, but what choice do you have? (set: $well to $well - 10)
Your sister gives you $1000. You use the money to pay your rent and other expenses. (set: $money to $money + 250) You now have $[$money].
There is a catch, however. A condition of the money is that you attend your niece’s wedding.
[[Go to the wedding.|DawnReception]]Your niece’s wedding is nice, but after the ceremony, people linger around and talk. It is clear that nobody is in a hurry to get to the restaurant.
You do not want to be a burden to anyone, but you desperately need food. What should you do?
[[Walk to a nearby convenience store.|DawnQuick]]
[[Ask your niece how long it will be until dinner.|DawnLong]]
[[Wait patiently. You do not want to cause any trouble.|DawnPatient]]You decline the invitation. The distance to travel is too far. Your niece is disappointed that you won’t be there. (set: $well to $well - 5)
[[Go to your doctor’s appointment.|DawnBlock7]]Your part of the trip costs $30. (set: $money to $money - 30)
You pack a few snacks and plan to stop for meals along the way. Two hours into the trip, you remind your cousin you need to stop for lunch.
Unfortunately, there are no places to eat. Your only food choice is a hot dog from the gas station.
[[Buy a hot dog; you need to eat.|DawnHotDog]]
[[Skip the hot dog, eat your snacks, instead.|DawnSnacks]]
[[Wait and see if anything better comes along.|DawnWait]]You currently have:
$(Print: $money) money
(Print: $well) wellbeing points
(Print: $food) food insecurity points
It is time to refill your prescriptions. The total cost for this round of drugs is $200. (set: $money to $money - 200)
It is going to be a while before you can drive again. You need a part time job. Three options are within walking distance. Where do you want to work?
[[Fast food restaurant: 15 hours per week, $15/hour.|DawnFastFood]]
[[Bakery: 10 hours per week, $17/hour.|DawnBakery]]
[[Elder care home: 10 hours per week, $15/hour.|DawnElder]]The hot dog is not a healthy choice, but there are no other food options. (set: $food to $food + 1.0) Good thing you still have your snacks.
[[Arrive at the wedding.|DawnReception]]Without a healthy lunch option, you opt to eat your snacks for lunch. But now you do not have an afternoon snack. (set: $food to $food + 1.0)
You are extremely hungry by the time you arrive to the wedding. (set: $well to $well - 5)
[[Go the ceremony.|DawnReception]]You decline the hot dog in the hopes that there will be a better food option. (set: $food to $food + 1.0)
Unfortunately, you do not pass anything. (set: $food to $food + 1.0)
You are extremely hungry by the time you arrive to the wedding. (set: $well to $well - 5)
[[Go the ceremony.|DawnReception]]You sneak out of the ceremony and walk to a nearby general store. You eat some food and immediately feel better.
You walk back to discover that everyone has left for dinner except for your sister. She accuses you of being overly complicated. (set: $well to $well - 5)
[[Return home.|DawnReturn]]You ask your sister how long it will be until dinner.
She rolls her eyes, shoves a granola bar at you, and tells you to stop whining. You wonder if you are being overly dramatic? (set: $well to $well - 5)
[[Return home.|DawnReturn]]You do not want to cause trouble, so you decide to wait patiently until dinner.
You feel more and more tired. You start slurring your words and faint.
Later you over hear your sister telling somebody that your dramatic scene nearly ruined her daughter’s wedding. (set: $well to $well - 10)
[[Return home.|DawnReturn]]You manage to tolerate the rest of the weekend, but are relieved to go home. No one seemed to take your medical needs seriously. (set: $well to $well - 5)
Seeing your family just made you feel even more alone in managing your diabetes. (set: $well to $well - 5)
[[Go to your next doctor’s appointment.|DawnBlock7]]It is nice to have the extra $200 per week working at the fast food restaurant. (set: $money to $money + 200)
But, it is too hard to avoid the temptation of fast food, especially when it is so cheap and it is the only food around. (set: $food to $food + 1)
After two weeks, your blood glucose levels are less stable and it is clear that you are gaining weight again. (set: $well to $well - 10)
[[Get your eyes checked.|DawnBlock8]]It is nice to have an extra $150 per week working at the bakery. (set: $money to $money +150)
But, it is too hard to avoid the temptation of the baked goods.
After two weeks, your blood glucose levels are less stable and it is clear that you are gaining weight again. (set: $well to $well - 10)
[[Get your eyes checked.|DawnBlock8]]You start working as an assistant cook at an elder care residential home.
As part of the position, you work with a dietician who shows you tricks for preparing inexpensive healthy meals. (set: $well to $well + 10)
Because many of the residents are also managing diabetes, you learn a lot about your own nutritional needs in the process. (set: $well to $well + 10)
You also get one healthy meal per day as part of the position. (set: $well to $well + 10)
Between the weekly paycheck and the meal savings, you are feeling a little bit more secure. (set: $money to $money + 200)(set: $well to $well + 10)
[[Get your eyes checked.|DawnBlock8]]You currently have:
$(Print: $money) money
(Print: $well) wellbeing points
(Print: $food) food insecurity points
An important step in getting approval to drive again is the completion of a diabetic eye exam.
The exam is covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP), but the nearest optometrist who does the exam is over 50 km away.
[[Put off going to the appointment|DawnOff]]
[[Pay for a cab/car service to go|DawnCar]]
[[Ask your roommate to drive you|DawnRoomie]]Without this eye appointment, you cannot return to your truck driving job. You will be out of work for even longer. (set: $well to $well - 20)
On the plus side, you have learned a lot about managing your diabetes over the past few months.
[[Did you succeed in your quest to help Dawn?|DawnDebrief]]It costs you $200 to hire a car service to go to the appointment. (set: $money to $money - 200).
Your eyesight is deemed fine! This is a huge step towards being able to regain your driving privileges. (set: $well to $well + 20)
[[Did you succeed in your quest to help Dawn?|DawnDebrief]] The day of the appointment is on your roommate's birthday. She would rather go do something fun on that day.
[[Put off going to the appointment|DawnOff]]
[[Take a cab/car service instead|DawnCar]]
[[Beg your roommate to drive you|DawnFun]]Congratulations! You helped your character cope with the first few months of her Type 2 diabetes diagnosis.
Your quest was to help Dawn avoid food insecurity as she learned to manage her diabetes and return to work.
Food security can be defined as “the condition in which all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life.” (Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations).
You ended the game with:
$(Print: $money) money
(Print: $well) wellbeing points
(Print: $food) food insecurity points
Striking the balance between financial security, food security, and wellbeing is not easy. Indeed, people often sacrifice their own personal health to live within a budget and/or sacrifice their financial wellbeing in order to manage their health.
[[Learn more about food insecurity|FiveDawn]]You beg your roommate to drive you.
She agrees only when you offer to take her out for a nice birthday dinner after the appointment.
You also have to pay for gas for the trip. (set: $money to $money - 40)
The appointment is a success. Your eyesight is deemed fine! This is a huge step towards being able to regain your driving privileges. (set: $well to $well + 20)
After you return home, you and your roommate walk to a restaurant near your apartment. The two of you decide to share a bottle of wine.
You will be paying for the wine, your roommate’s dinner, and your own dinner. Given this, what do you want to order for yourself?
[[A salad with chicken ($9)|DawnChicken]]
[[A steak with baked potato and broccoli ($15)|DawnSteak]]
[[A side salad; the cheapest thing on the menu ($4)|DawnSalad]]You enjoy your meal then pay the $50 bill. (set: $money to $money - 50)
Walking home you start to feel sick. You test your blood glucose levels and they are very high.
The wine was a bad idea. (set: $well to $well - 5)
Clearly, you still have a lot to learn about diabetes. Still, on the whole, you have come a long way!
[[Did you succeed in your quest to help Dawn?|DawnDebrief]] You enjoy your meal then pay the $65 bill. (set: $money to $money - 65)
You test your blood glucose levels when you get home. They are somewhat high.
It’s a good thing you ordered a hearty meal, otherwise the wine could have made you sick.
Clearly, you are getting better at learning to manage your diabetes. (set: $well to $well + 5)
[[Did you succeed in your quest to help Dawn?|DawnDebrief]]You are worried about money so you order the cheapest thing on the menu.
You are still hungry and very tipsy from the wine when you pay the $40 bill at the end of the evening. (set: $money to $money - 65)
Walking home you pass out. Drinking wine with so little food was a bad idea! (set: $well to $well - 10)
Your concerns about money are resulting in you making decisions that increase your risk for food insecurity and put your health in danger. (set: $food to $food + 2)
You have come a long way in the past few months, but you still have a lot to learn.
[[Did you succeed in your quest to help Dawn?|DawnDebrief]]The Ryerson University Centre for Studies in Food Security examine Five A’s of food security:
Availability: Sufficient food for all people at all times.
Accessibility: Physical & economic access to food.
Adequacy: Nutritious, safe, and sustainable food.
Acceptability: Culturally & socially acceptable food.
Agency: Food security policies & processes.
The Government of Canada’s Household Food Security Survey Module (HFSSM) is a tool that measures the extent to which members of a given household experience “uncertain, insufficient or inadequate food access, availability and utilization due to limited financial resources”. Moderate food insecurity is characterized by a compromise in the quantity and quality of food. Severe food insecurity is indicated by reduced and disrupted food intake.
The fictional characters in this game represent just a few of the unique stories of food insecurity from the more than four million Canadians who experience food insecurity each year. In Ontario alone, more than half a million households (> 500,000) face food insecurity. Indeed, because of its large population, Ontario is the province in Canada with the highest number of households living with food insecurity (http://proof.utoronto.ca/).
[[Learn more about Dawn’s unique risk factors|DawnUnique]]Dawn faces unique risk factors as a consequence of:
•Being a refugee and new arrival to Canada.
•Living on a fixed income.
•Being an aging single adult.
Food insecurity is significantly more common among Canadians with diabetes compared to Canadians without diabetes. Unfortunately, food insecurity also makes it more difficult for people to manage their diabetes, especially for those who live on a low income, have misperceptions about nutrition, experience other health problems, and lack social support (Chan, DeMelo, Gingras, & Gucciardi, 2015).
Living on a fixed income also puts Dawn at high risk for food insecurity. Living with diabetes can be expensive. Health insurance does not cover the full cost of medications and fresh nutritious foods often cost more than low cost, low nutrition foods. In addition, people with diabetes may struggle to maintain full time employment due to poor health, anxiety, and other restrictions (Vick, 2014). People living in rural areas may also struggle to even access proper health care facilities if these facilities are far away.
Dawn is also at risk for food insecurity as a single aging adult. Because the guaranteed income of Old Age Security does not begin until the age of 65, rates of food insecurity for single adults between the ages of 60 and 64 is at least double compared to seniors over the age of 65 (Dietitians of Canada, 2016). Aging single adults are particularly at high risk for food insecurity and other income related problems due to age discrimination in the workplace, increasing health problems, and low social supports.
[[Play Again|Character]]
[[End Game|EndCredits]]Thank you for playing the Food Security Quest! This project was supported by a 2016-2018 Research and Innovation Grant from eCampusOntario.
Special thanks goes out to our game development team: Dr. Kosha Bramesfeld, Dr. Andrea Moraes, Dr. Arla Good, Kieran Ramnarine, Meredith Burling, Samantha Kranyak, Marissa Frosst, Jennifer Biewald, Joleine Kasper, Timothy MtPleasant, and Lina Rahouma.You do not have a car and the city is more than a four hour drive away. How will you get there?
[[Take public transportation. Each ticket costs $30|DeeTransit]]
[[Rent a car for $200 a day|DeeRentCar]]
[[Try to secure a place online.|DeeRentOnline]]Using the internet, you identify a few housing opportunities. One seems perfect for you.
It is a 3-bedroom apartment for $1200. You can hold the apartment for only a $500 cash deposit.
[[Send in the deposit to secure the apartment.|DeeMailIn]]
[[Travel to the city to look at apartments in person.|DeeTrip]]
[[Contact a Friendship Centre for advice.|DeeFriendship]]Many cities have Indigenous Friendship Centers. These organizations support indigenous people in many ways.
You call the Friendship Centre in your new city. They suggest that you visit the center before moving. A volunteer can help you look for apartments.
[[Take public transportation to visit the city.|DeeTransitVolunteer]]
[[Rent a car to visit the city.|DeeRentCarVolunteer]]
[[Politely decline. Try to find a place on your own.|DeeRentOnline]]You buy three round trip tickets for you and your two children, with tax it comes out to $100. (set: $money to $money - 100)
The bus trip takes 7 hours! By the time you arrive in the city, you are only able to see a few apartments. (set: $well to $well - 5)
[[View the apartment choices|DeeBlock2]]You rent a car for the day. After tax, insurance, and gas, the bill is $300. (set: $money to $money - 300)
It’s a long drive to the city, but you and your children have a great time and see several potential apartments. (set: $well to $well + 5)
[[View the apartment choices|DeeBlock2]]You have identified three apartment options. Select an apartment to learn more.
[[Apartment A: 3 bedrooms, $800 per month.|DeeApartmentA]]
[[Apartment B: 2 bedrooms, $1100 per month.|DeeApartmentB]]
[[Apartment C: 2 bedrooms, $1300 per month.|DeeApartmentC]]You mail in the $500 cash deposit and wait for the owner of the property to mail the lease. (set: $money to $money - 500)
A week goes by and you hear nothing. When you try to call, the number has been disconnected.
You have been scammed! (set: $well to $well - 20)
[[Report the scam to the police.|DeePolice]]
[[Travel to the city to look for apartments in person.|DeeTrip]]
[[Reach out to a Friendship Center for advice.|DeeFriendship]]You arrange for a babysitter so you can go down to the police station. (set: $well to $well - 5)
The officer spends most of his time asking you completely irrelevant questions, such as whether you were drinking when it happened.
Is the officer trying to suggest that you are making it up or somehow to blame? (set: $well to $well - 5)
Clearly, this officer is not going to take your claim seriously. (set: $well to $well - 5)
Now you are out the cost of the deposit money and you’ve wasted half a day at the police station. (set: $well to $well - 10)
[[Travel to the city to look for apartments in person.|DeeTrip]]
[[Try looking online again.|DeeTryAgain]]
[[Reach out to a Friendship Center.|DeeFriendship]]You are nervous that you will get scammed again, but you cannot afford to spend any more money. (set: $well to $well - 5)
After a careful online search, you find three apartment possibilities.
[[View the apartment choices|DeeBlock2]]Three round trip bus tickets, with tax, cost you $100. (set: $money to $money - 100)
The trip is long, but fun. The volunteer is great! She is able to show you several apartments. (set: $well to $well + 10)
[[View the apartment choices|DeeBlock2]]You rent a car for the day. After tax, rental insurance, and gas, the total bill is $300. (set: $money to $money - 300)
The road trip is fun and the volunteer is great! She is able to show you several apartments. (set: $well to $well + 10)
[[View the apartment choices|DeeBlock2]]Apartment A is a large 3 bedroom apartment in a commuter city 20km from where you will be working. You would need to buy a car.
[[Rent Apartment A for $800 per month|DeeRentApartmentA]]
[[View/rent Apartment B, instead ($1100/month)|DeeApartmentB]]
[[View/rent Apartment C, instead ($1300/month)|DeeApartmentC]]Apartment B is a 2 bedroom apartment in a pretty suburb located just outside the city core. It is near a bus line. You could take public transit to work.
[[Rent Apartment B for $1100 per month|DeeRentApartmentB]]
[[View/rent Apartment A, instead ($800/month)|DeeApartmentA]]
[[View/rent Apartment C, instead ($1300/month)|DeeApartmentC]]Apartment C is a small 2 bedroom apartment in the heart of the city within walking distance of the hospital. You could walk to work.
[[Rent Apartment C for $1300 per month|DeeRentApartmentC]]
[[View/rent Apartment A, instead ($800/month|DeeApartmentA]]
[[View/rent Apartment B, instead ($1100/month)|DeeApartmentB]]You are excited to have a large spacious apartment with plenty of room for your children to play. (set: $well to $well + 10)
To secure the apartment you must pay the first month’s rent ($800) and the last month’s rent ($800). (set: $money to $money - 1600)
You will also need to pay for utilities (electricity, heat, water, etc.), including initial hook-up fees.
The cost is $400. (set: $money to $money - 400)
To get to work, you need a car. The initial costs of a down payment, insurance, gas, and parking are $400. (set: $money to $money - 400)
The cost to rent a moving van is $100. (set: $money to $money - 100)
The move alone cost you $2,500, leaving you with just $[$money].
The high cost of the move puts you at high risk for food insecurity. (set: $food to $food + 1.0)
[[Move to the new city.|DeeBlock3]]You are excited to live in a lovely neighborhood, with plenty of parks for your children to roam. (set: $well to $well + 30)
To secure the apartment you must pay the first month’s rent ($1100) and the last month’s rent ($1100). (set: $money to $money - 2200)
It will also cost you $350 to pay the initial hook-up fees for utilities (electricity, heat, water, etc.). (set: $money to $money - 350 )
You will also need a $150 monthly transit pass. (set: $money to $money - 150)
The cost to rent a moving van is $100. (set: $money to $money - 100)
The move alone cost you $2,800, leaving you with just $[$money] remaining.
The high cost of the move puts you at risk for food insecurity. (set: $food to $food + 1.0)
[[Move to the new city.|DeeBlock3]]You are excited to live in the heart of the city. It will be convenient for you to be so close to everything. (set: $well to $well + 30)
To secure the apartment you must pay the first month’s rent ($1300) and the last month’s rent ($1300). (set: $money to $money - 2600)
The rent on your apartment includes utilities. One less thing for you to worry about. (set: $well to $well + 5)
You can walk or take transit to most things.
The cost to rent a moving van is $100. You will also need to pay $50 for a city permit to park the moving van. (set: $money to $money - 150)
The move costs you $2,750, leaving you with just $[$money] remaining.
The high cost of the move puts you at risk for food insecurity. (set: $food to $food + 1.0)
[[Move to the new city.|DeeBlock3]]You currently have:
$(Print: $money) money
(Print: $well) wellbeing points
(Print: $food) food insecurity points
With most of your kitchen gear still in boxes, you spend over $100 buying greasy fast food your first week in the new city. (set: $money to $money - 100)
Eating fast food, which is low in nutrition puts you at risk for food insecurity. (set: $food to $food + 1.0) You need to buy groceries soon.
There is a small grocery store close to you, a large bargain grocery store almost an hour away, and a food bank down the block from you.
[[Check out the grocery store near you.|DeeLocal]]
[[Travel to the bargain grocery store.|DeeBudget]]
[[Go to the foodbank.|DeeFoodBank]]The grocery store near you is an organic grocery store. There are a lot of fresh and healthy food choices. However, the food is very expensive.
They also do not carry the traditional foods that you associate with your First Nations community. (set: $well to $well - 5)
[[Buy groceries from the organic grocery store.|DeeShopLocal]]
[[Travel to the bargain grocery store.|DeeBudget]]
[[Look into options for a food bank.|DeePantryOptions]]Travelling to and from the bargain grocery store takes significant time.
It also adds an additional $20 in transportation costs not in your original budget. (set: $money to $money - 20)
The inability to access affordable food closer to your home increases your risk for food insecurity. (set: $food to $food + 2)
In addition, you are disappointed to discover that the grocery store does not carry traditional foods of your First Nations community. (set: $well to $well - 5)
You need to buy groceries to last you two weeks. What’s your key priority?
[[Make healthy meals from scratch to cut costs.|DeeBudgetHomemade]]
[[Buy healthy foods that are easy to prepare.|DeeBudgetEasy]]
[[Keep food costs as low as possible.|DeeBudgetEasyQuality]]You do not have childcare so you bring your children with you to the food bank. (set: $well to $well - 5)
Your children ask questions like, “Are we poor?”
You are embarrassed by your children’s questions and do not know how to respond. (set: $well to $well - 10)
[[Continue into the food bank.|DeePantryContinue]]
[[Go to your local grocery store instead.|DeeLocal]]
[[Look into alternative options.|DeePantryOptions]]You need to buy groceries to last you two weeks. What is your key priority?
[[Make meals from scratch to cut costs.|DeeLocalHomemade]]
[[Buy healthy foods that are easy to prepare.|DeeLocalEasy]]
[[Buy the cheapest foods possible.|DeeLocalEasyQuality]]Living in a major urban area there are several food bank and community meal options available.
[[Go to the food bank closest to you.|DeePantryContinue]]
[[Go to the Friendship Center.|DeeCommunityMeal]]
[[Go the Aboriginal food bank.|DeeAboriginalFoodBank]]You buy fresh ingredients to make soups, casseroles, and meals. Groceries for two weeks cost $300. (set: $money to $money - 300)
Making meals from scratch takes several hours per week. This will not be realistic once your new job starts! (set: $well to $well - 5)
[[Get organized before your job starts.|DeeBlock4]]Buying enough easy-to-prepare health foods to feed your family for two weeks will cost you at least $400.
[[Buy the groceries. The convenience is worth it.|DeeLocalEasyBuy]]
[[Make hard choices to keep food costs low.|DeeLocalEasyQuality]]
[[Travel to the bargain grocery store instead.|DeeBudget]]Money is tight. You need to buy groceries for two weeks. How much can you afford to spend?
[[$350|DeeLocalEasy175]]
[[$300|DeeLocalEasy150]]
[[$200|DeeLocalEasy100]]You currently have:
$(Print: $money) money
(Print: $well) wellbeing points
(Print: $food) food insecurity points
You are trying to make dinner and complete some required paperwork for your job. Your sons want to play outside, but you are too busy to go with them.
[[Let them play outside on their own|DeePlayOutside]]
[[Tell them they must play quietly inside the apartment|DeePlayQuietly]]
[[Let them continue playing loudly inside the apartment|DeePlayLoudly]]Groceries for two weeks cost you $400. (set: $money to $money - 400)
It is expensive to feed your family this way, but as a single mom the time savings is worth it! (set: $well to $well + 10)
[[Next.|DeeBlock4]]You buy as many healthy foods as you can on your budget. Groceries for two weeks cost $350. (set: $money to $money - 350)
For now, you have managed to keep your family well fed. (set: $well to $well + 5)
[[Get organized before your job starts.|DeeBlock4]]To get you through the next two weeks, you buy $300 of the cheapest foods you can find. (set: $money to $money - 300)
Most of these foods are processed foods that are low in nutrition, increasing your risk for food insecurity. <set: $food to $food + 2.0)
[[Get organized before your job starts.|DeeBlock4]]You spend $200 on groceries that you hope will last your family two weeks. (set: $money to $money - 200)
Unfortunately, the groceries run out. Without enough food to eat, your risk of food insecurity increases. (set: $food to $food + 3)
Long term this is not a good strategy! (set: $well to $well - 10)
[[Get organized before your job starts.|DeeBlock4]]For $250, you are able to buy ingredients to make soups, casseroles, and meals for two weeks. (set: $money to $money - 250)
Making meals from scratch takes several hours per week. This will not be realistic once your new job starts. (set: $well to $well - 5)
[[Get organized before your job starts.|DeeBlock4]]Buying enough easy-to-prepare health foods to feed your family for two weeks will cost you $300 to $400. What would you like to do?
[[Buy the groceries. The convenience will be worth it.|DeeBudgetEasyBuy]]
[[Make hard choices to keep food costs low.|DeeBudgetEasyQuality]]
[[Buy the cheapest foods possible.|DeeBudgetEasy50]]You buy a range of healthy easy-to-prepare foods. Two weeks’ worth of groceries cost you $350. (set: $money to $money - 350>
It is expensive to feed your family this way, but it is fast and easy. (set: $well to $well + 5)
Not having the time to prepare healthy low cost meals increases your risk for food insecurity. (set: $food to $food + 1)
[[Get organized before your job starts.|DeeBlock4]]Money is tight. You need to buy groceries to last you two weeks. How much can you afford to spend on groceries?
[[$300|DeeBudgetEasy150]]
[[$200|DeeBudgetEasy100]]
[[$100|DeeBudgetEasy50]]You spend $100 on groceries that you hope will last you two weeks. (set: $money to $money - 100)
The groceries run out. You skip meals to ensure that your children do not go hungry. This increases your risk for severe food insecurity. (set: $food to $food + 3)
[[Get organized before your job starts.|DeeBlock4]]You buy as many healthy foods as you can on your budget. Groceries for two weeks cost $300. (set: $money to $money - 300)
You are able to prepare mostly health dinners for your family. (set: $well to $well + 5)
[[Get organized before your job starts.|DeeBlock4]]The cheapest foods are processed foods. Even buying junk food groceries for two weeks cost you $200. (set: $money to $money - 200)
Eating low nutrition foods increases your risk for food insecurity. (set: $food to $food + 2.0)
[[Get organized before your job starts.|DeeBlock4]]You go into the food bank. There are a range of food options, but most of them are non-perishable processed foods. (set: $well to $well - 5)
The food bank offers almost no fresh fruits and vegetables and no fresh meat. The food bank does not carry First Nations traditional foods. (set: $well to $well - 5)
The nutritional content of the foods puts you at higher risk for food insecurity. (set: $food to $food + 2)
The food bank groceries are not enough to last you two weeks. How will you get the rest of your groceries?
[[Go to the local grocery store.|DeeRoundLocal]]
[[Go to the bargain grocery store.|DeeRoundBudget]]
[[Do not buy more. Make the groceries last.|DeeRoundLast]]For $150 more you are able to balance out the food bank options to feed your family for two weeks. (set: $money to $money - 150)
[[Get organized before your job starts.|DeeBlock4]]The bargain grocery store is far away. It costs you $20 more than your original transportation budget to get there. (set: $money to $money - 100)
It then costs your $80 in groceries to balance out the food bank options.(set: $money to $money - 100)
The inability to access affordable food closer to your home increases your risk for food insecurity. (set: $food to $food + 2)
[[Get organized before your job starts.|DeeBlock4]]You will have to skip meals so that your children have enough to eat. This puts you at high risk for experiencing severe food insecurity. (set: $food to $food + 3)
Without the proper nutrition, you feel sluggish and unwell. Long term, this is not a good strategy! (set: $well to $well - 10)
[[Get organized before your job starts.|DeeBlock4]]The Friendship Center is an organization that supports Indigenous people in many ways.
You attend their weekly community meal. It is great to meet new people. (set: $well to $well + 10)
The community meal includes many traditional foods. These comfort foods of your childhood are just what you needed right now! (set: $well to $well + 10)
The community meal is also one less meal you have to buy. It’s like having an extra $30 in your pocket. (set: $money to $money + 30)
Now you just need to figure out how will you feed your family the rest of the week.
[[Go to the local grocery store.|DeeLocal]]
[[Go to the bargain grocery store.|DeeBudget]]
[[Ask the women at the Friendship Center for ideas.|DeeMealShare]]The Aboriginal Food Bank is almost an hour away and adds an additional $20 in travel costs beyond your original travel budget. (set: $well to $well - 5) (set: $money to $money - 20)
Still, you are glad you came. The food bank offers a range of options, including fresh fruits and vegetables.
You manage to keep your family fed for these first two weeks. (set: $well to $well - 5)
[[Get organized before your job starts.|DeeBlock4]]You ask the women at the Friendship Center how they live on a budget in the city.
They tell you that once per week they carpool out to the Aboriginal food bank together.
They explain that although the Aboriginal food bank is farther away, it is better than the local one as it carries fresh fruits and vegetables.
The women invite you to carpool with them to the Aboriginal Food Bank.
[[Go with the woman to the Aboriginal food bank.|DeeGoWithFriends]]
[[Go to your local grocery store instead.|DeeLocal]]
[[Go to the bargain grocery store instead.|DeeBudget]]A woman from the centre watches your children while you join the others on their trip to the Aboriginal Food Bank.
The food bank offers a wide range of healthy food offerings, including some traditional foods.
The women pick out groceries together and use the community kitchen to make large batches of food for each woman to take home.
It is such a fun, creative, and efficient way of sharing food resources! (set: $well to $well + 10)
[[Get organized before your job starts.|DeeBlock4]]You send your children outside to play.
A few minutes later a neighbor is at your door with your children. She is concerned because she found the children playing on their own.
[[Invite the woman in to talk.|DeeInviteWoman]]
[[Wait for her to leave, then let your children play outside again.|DeeIgnoreAdvice]]
[[Make your children stay inside to play.|DeePlayQuietly]]You tell your children that they must play inside quietly. They complain that they are bored and bicker amongst themselves.
It is a long afternoon and you do not get your paperwork done until late at night. (set: $well to $well - 5)
[[Enroll your children in school.|DeeBlock5]]Your children continue playing loudly. You get distracted and burn dinner. You spend $20 buying take-out. (set: $money to $money - 20) You now have $[$money] remaining.
[[Enroll your children in school.|DeeBlock5]]The woman explains that a troublesome neighbor in the building has called social services on residents in the past.
She wanted to warn you of his behaviour so you did not get in trouble with the police.
As a house warming present, the neighbor presents you with a huge basket of fresh garden vegetables and some homemade bread.
It’s like having an extra $100 of grocery money! (set: $money to $money + 100)
You are happy to have met your neighbour. (set: $well to $well + 10)
[[Enroll your children in school.|DeeBlock5]]Once the woman has gone away, you tell the children that they can go play outside again.
Thirty minutes later, a police officer is at your door.
A neighbour has called the police to complain of “suspicious” children causing trouble.
Your children were just playing. You are angry that your neighbour assumed that they were up to no good. (set: $well to $well - 15)
[[Enroll your children in school.|DeeBlock5]]You currently have:
$(Print: $money) money
(Print: $well) wellbeing points
(Print: $food) food insecurity points
Your sons have started school. They beg you to take them shopping for new clothes.
Money is tight, but your sons have outgrown their shoes from last year and their pants are too short.
[[Go to a shopping mall.|DeeShoppingMall]]
[[Go to a bargain outlet.|DeeBudgetClothes]]
[[Do not buy clothes at this time.|DeeNoClothes]]You travel to the shopping mall. What would you like to buy?
[[Let each son pick some new clothes.|DeeAllMall]]
[[Pick out new clothing for your children.|DeeSomeMall]]
[[Buy shoes; skip the clothing.|DeeBasicsMall]]You travel to a bargain outlet.
[[Let each son pick some new clothes.|DeeAllBudget]]
[[Buy the cheapest clothes available.|DeeSomeBudget]]
[[Buy shoes; skip the clothing.|DeeBasicsBudget]]There is no money for new clothes. Your children will have to make do with what they have for now. (set: $well to $well - 10)
[[Buy more groceries.|DeeBlock6]]Your children are very excited and pick out $300 worth of clothing. (set: $money to $money - 300) (set: $well to $well + 10)
[[Buy more groceries.|DeeBlock6]]You spend $200 on the cheapest clothing you can find. Your children are happy to get new clothes. (set: $money to $money - 200) (set: $well to $well + 5)
[[Buy more groceries.|DeeBlock6]]You spend $50 to buy new shoes for each of your sons. (set: $money to $money - 50)
Your children are disappointed that they did not get to pick out new clothes. (set: $well to $well - 5)
[[Buy more groceries.|DeeBlock6]]You currently have:
$(Print: $money) money
(Print: $well) wellbeing points
(Print: $food) food insecurity points
It is time to buy groceries again. Your first paycheck is not for another 6 weeks. You need to spend wisely. Where would you like to go?
[[Go to the organic grocery store near your house.|DeeLocalSept]]
[[Go to the bargain grocery store across town.|DeeBudgetSept]]
[[Go to a food bank.|DeeBankSept]]Your children are very excited and pick out $200 worth of clothing. (set: $money to $money - 200) (set: $well to $well + 10)
[[Buy more groceries.|DeeBlock6]]You spend $150 on the cheapest clothing you can find. Your children are happy to get new clothes. (set: $money to $money - 150) (set: $well to $well + 5)
[[Buy more groceries.|DeeBlock6]]You spend $30 to buy new shoes for each of your sons. (set: $money to $money - 30)
Your kids are disappointed that they did not get any new clothes. (set: $well to $well - 5)
[[Buy more groceries.|DeeBlock6]]You need to buy groceries for two weeks. What is your strategy?
[[Buy plenty of nutritious foods|DeeLocalSept200]]
[[Buy some healthy foods|DeeLocalSept150]]
[[Buy the cheapest foods that you can|DeeLocalSept75]]Because it is so far away, travelling to and from the bargain grocery store adds an additional $20 in travel costs. (set: $money to $money - 20)
Not having cheaper food options closer to home increases your risk of food insecurity. (set: $food to $food + 1)
Travelling this far for groceries may not be realistic once your new job starts. (set: $well to $well - 5)
You need to buy groceries for two weeks. What is your strategy?
[[Buy plenty of nutritious foods.|DeeBudgetSept150]]
[[Buy some healthy foods.|DeeBudgetSept100]]
[[Buy the cheapest foods that you can.|DeeBudgetSept50]]The food bank is nearly empty. You ask the volunteer why there are so few options.
He explains that donations to the food bank ebb and flow. This just happens to be a slow month.
Not being able to access affordable food puts you at high risk for food insecurity. (set: $food to $food + 3)
It is clear that you are going to need another solution to get through this month.
[[Sell some of your belongings to get more money.|DeeSellStuff]]
[[Skip meals so your kids have enough to eat.|DeeBudgetSept50]]
[[Go to the Friendship Center for Support.|DeeFriendshipSept]]Your local grocery store is very expensive. It costs you $400 to buy two weeks’ worth of nutritious foods for your family. (set: $money to $money - 400) (set: $well to $well + 10)
[[Start your new job.|DeeBlock7]]Your local grocery store is very expensive. It costs you $300 to buy two weeks’ worth of nutritious foods for your family. (set: $money to $money - 300)
Even then, you have to compromise on the quantity and quality of the food you can buy. (set: $food to $food + 1)
[[Start your new job.|DeeBlock7]]You spend $150 to buy groceries for two weeks. (set: $money to $money - 150)
The groceries are not enough. You find yourself skipping meals to make sure your kids have enough to eat. (set: $food to $food + 2)
Because you are not getting enough nutrients, you feel slow and sluggish. Long term, this is not a good strategy. (set: $well to $well - 10)
[[Start your new job.|DeeBlock7]]You currently have:
$(Print: $money) money
(Print: $well) wellbeing points
(Print: $food) food insecurity points
You start your new job next week, but you will not get your first paycheck for four more weeks.
Your monthly bills are due now. Altogether, your rent, utilities, transportation costs, and loan repayments cost $2000.
You do not have $2000. What are you going to do about your bills?
[[Take out a short term loan.|DeeShortLoan]]
[[Delay payment for a month.|DeeDelayPayment]]For $300 you are able to buy a range of healthy groceries to last you two weeks. (set: $money to $money - 300) (set: $well to $well - 5)
[[Start your new job.|DeeBlock7]]Even buying cheap, low nutrition foods, groceries for two weeks cost you $200. (set: $money to $money - 200)
Eating low nutrition foods puts you at risk for food insecurity. (set: $food to $food + 1.0)
[[Start your new job.|DeeBlock7]]You buy the cheapest foods possible, spending just $100 to feed your family for two weeks. (set: $money to $money - 100)
The food does not last. You are forced to skip meals to make sure your children have enough to eat. (set: $food to $food + 2)
Because you are not getting enough nutrients, you feel slow and sluggish. Long term, this is not a good strategy. (set: $well to $well - 10)
[[Start your new job.|DeeBlock7]]You have very few belongings that are worth selling and these items are near and dear to your heart. What do you want to do?
[[Sell the ring your grandmother gave you.|DeeWeddingRing]]
[[Sell your grandmother’s antique furniture.|DeeSellFurniture]]
[[Keep your stuff. Skip meals to keep costs low.|DeeBudgetSept50]]You take your kids to the Friendship Center. They are offering a community food sharing program.
It costs $200. You’ll work collaboratively with other moms in the community to buy bulk foods and turn them into traditional meals.
At the end of the day, you’ll take home enough freezer-ready dishes to feed your family for two weeks.
[[Pay $200 to sign up for the program.|DeeCommunityShare]]
[[Buy and prepare your own groceries.|DeeLocalSept]]
[[Sell some of your stuff for more money.|DeeSellStuff]]Your grandmother’s ring is an antique, but it is not worth much. The most you can get for it is $100.
[[Sell the ring for $100.|DeeSellRing]]
[[Sell the antique furniture instead.|DeeSellFurniture]]
[[Keep your stuff. Skip meals to reduce costs.|DeeBudgetSept50]]You sell the antique dining set: that you inherited from your grandmother for $400. (set: $money to $money + 400) You now have $[$money].
Not only have you lost a piece of your grandmother, you and the children no longer have a dining room table to share meals. (set: $well to $well - 20)
At least now you can get groceries to feed your family.
[[Go to the organic grocery store near your house.|DeeLocalSept]]
[[Go to the bargain grocery store across town.|DeeBudgetSept]]
[[Go to the Friendship Center for Support.|DeeFriendshipSept]]You sell the ring for $100. (set: $money to $money + 100)
After selling the ring, you feel immediate regret. The ring has been in your family for years and now it is gone. (set: $well to $well - 10)
You and your children still need to eat. (set: $food to $food + 1) What will you do?
[[Sell the antique furniture.|DeeSellFurniture]]
[[Go to the Friendship Center.|DeeFriendshipSept]]
[[Skip meals to save money.|DeeBudgetSept50]]You pay $200 to join the community meal share program. (set: $money to $money - 200)
Your kids have a great time playing with the other children and you enjoy cooking and chatting with the other women in the group. (set: $well to $well + 15)
Plus, you end the day with a variety of traditional and easy to prepare foods. (set: $well to $well + 15)
[[Start your new job.|DeeBlock7]]By showing your employment contract, you are able to get a payday loan.
The fee for the loan is $15 per $100. As such, you will end up paying $2,300 for a $2,000 loan, assuming you can pay it off in 30 days.
You deposit the $2000 in your bank account. (set: $money to $money + 2000)
Then watch sadly as all of the funds are drained to pay your bills. (set: $money to $money - 2000)(set: $well to $well - 10)
[[Request your work scheduled.|DeeWorkSchedule]]You have always paid your bills on time. The thought of delaying payment makes you extremely stressed. (set: $well to $well - 10)
You have no idea how much the late penalties will be or how this will impact your credit. (set: $well to $well - 10)
It is not ideal, but what choice do you have right now? (set: $well to $well - 10)
[[Request your work scheduled.|DeeWorkSchedule]](set: $well to $well - 10)
You have just received your work schedule for your new job. You have been assigned to work the overnight shift.
You ask for a shift change, but your request is denied. This poses significant issues for childcare. What do you do?
[[Find an overnight nanny service.|DeeNanny]]
[[Find a centre that offers overnight childcare.|DeeChildcare]]
[[Advertise for an overnight babysitter.|DeeBabysitter]]You go online and find several nanny services that offer overnight care. They charge $2000 (or more) per month!
This is too expensive. You will have to try something else. (set: $well to $well - 5)
[[Find a centre that offers overnight childcare.|DeeChildcare]]
[[Advertise for an overnight babysitter.|DeeBabysitter]]
[[Contact the Friendship Centre.|DeeFriendshipChildcare]]You call several childcare centers. None of them offer overnight services, nor do any of them know of a service that does. (set: $well to $well - 5)
[[Find an overnight nanny.|DeeNanny]]
[[Advertise for an overnight babysitter.|DeeBabysitter]]
[[Contact the Friendship Centre.|DeeFriendshipChildcare]]You advertise for a babysitter and narrow it down to three candidates. Who do you want to interview?
[[Sarah, who provides live-in nanny services.|DeeSarah]]
[[Danielle, a licensed daycare provider.|DeeDanielle]]
[[Steven, a teacher looking for babysitting work.|DeeSteven]]You call the Friendship Center and ask for advice. They connect you with a family that lives in the same apartment building as you.
Until you can figure out something more permanent, their teenage daughter can sleep at your place on the nights you are working.
This is a great short term solution! (set: $well to $well + 5)
[[Next.|DeeBlock8]]Sarah is moving to the city for the next three months. She is interested in providing childcare services in exchange for a place to live.
She is kind and gentle with the children. If you do not mind living with a roommate, this could be a good short term option.
[[Hire Sarah as a live-in nanny.|DeeHireSarah]]
[[Interview Danielle, instead.|DeeDanielle]]
[[Interview Steven, instead.|DeeSteven]]Danielle is a licensed child care provider with years of experience working with children. She seems very serious and stern. The children seem a bit afraid of her.
She charges $50 per night for overnight care. She suggests that you hire her for a “trial run” before making any final decisions.
Do you want to spend $50 to hire her for a trial run?
[[Yes. Hire her for the trial run.|DeeTrialDanielle]]
[[Interview Sarah, instead.|DeeSarah]]
[[Interview Steven, instead.|DeeSteven]]You set: up a meeting with Steven. He is fun and silly with the children. He seems like a great fit.
Unfortunately, as you lay out your babysitting needs, he makes it clear that he is available only on occasion.
You need a regular sitter. You will need to find someone else. (set: $well to $well - 5) Your level of wellbeing is now [$well]. Who do you want to interview next?
[[Sarah, who provides live-in nanny services.|DeeSarah]]
[[Danielle, a licensed daycare provider.|DeeDanielle]]
[[Sophia, a 19 year-old university student.|DeeSophia]]You invite Sarah to be a live-in nanny. This requires that you rearrange the apartment so that Sarah has her own space.
The apartment feels cramped with this many people living in it, but it is a good low cost childcare option for now.
[[Next.|DeeBlock8]]You currently have:
$(Print: $money) money
(Print: $well) wellbeing points
(Print: $food) food insecurity points
It is time to buy groceries again. This month is going to be very busy.
You are working full time and your paycheck does not come for another four weeks.
More than ever, you must decide between convenience and cost when it comes to food.
What is your key priority?
[[Make healthy meals from scratch to cut costs.|DeeHomemadeOctE]]
[[Buy easy to prepare healthy foods.|DeeEasyOctE]]
[[Find the cheapest way to get food.|DeeCheapOctE]]You pay Danielle $50 for a trial run with the children. (set: $money to $money - 50)
It goes poorly. Danielle makes your normally very active children sit quietly for four hours. She is not a good fit for your family.
All of that money for nothing. (set: $well to $well - 5)
Who do you want to interview next?
[[Sarah, who provides live-in nanny services.|DeeSarah]]
[[Steven, a teacher looking for babysitting work.|DeeSteven]]
[[Contact the Friendship Centre for advice.|DeeFriendshipChildcare]]You set: up a meeting with Sophie. She seems a bit immature, but the children seem to like her.
She agrees to babysit for $150 per week.
[[Hire Sophie to babysit.|DeeHireSophie]]
[[Interview Danielle instead.|DeeDanielle]]
[[Interview Sarah instead.|DeeSarah]]You hire Sophie to babysit for you. (set: $money to $money - 150)
The first few days with Sophie go great, but then she fails to show up for several days in a row.
You are stressed to the max! (set: $well to $well - 20)
[[Interview Sarah who provides live-in nanny services.|DeeSarah]]
[[Interview Steven a teacher looking for babysitting work.|DeeSteven]]
[[Contact the Friendship Centre for advice.|DeeFriendshipChildcare]]You spend $200 to buy two weeks’ worth of healthy and fresh ingredients. (set: $money to $money - 200)
Making homemade meals goes well for a few days, but then you catch a cold.
Between taking care of your children and adjusting to a new job, you have zero energy to cook.
You resort to ordering take-out food several times to feed your family. (set: $money to $money - 100)
Because you are not eating the groceries that you bought, some of it goes bad and has to be thrown away. (set: $food to $food + 1)
What do you want to do for groceries the rest of the month?
[[Make healthy meals from scratch to cut costs.|DeeHomemadeOctL]]
[[Buy easy to prepare healthy foods.|DeeEasyOctL]]
[[Find the cheapest way to get food.|DeeCheapOctL]]It costs you $350 to buy a range of foods that are both healthy and easy to make. (set: $money to $money - 350)
It is worth the extra cost to save yourself time and energy while you adjust to your new job. (set: $well to $well + 10)
What do you want to do for groceries the rest of the month?
[[Make healthy meals from scratch to cut costs.|DeeHomemadeOctL]]
[[Buy easy to prepare healthy foods.|DeeEasyOctL]]
[[Find the cheapest way to get food.|DeeCheapOctL]]The cheapest way to get food for your family is to rely on food banks and community meals.
[[Go to the food bank closest to you.|DeeBankOctE]]
[[Go to the Aboriginal food bank.|DeeIndigenousOctE]]
[[Go to the Friendship Center.|DeeFoodEventsE]]By mid-October, you feel like you are slowly getting into a routine.
You spend $200 to buy a bunch of fresh ingredients to make homemade meals. (set: $money to $money - 200)
You spend your day off cooking to make two weeks’ worth of meals.
You and the children now have plenty of healthy and tasty meals to eat the rest of this month. (set: $well to $well + 10)
[[Next.|DeeBlock9]]It costs you $350 in groceries to buy healthy, easy to prepare foods for the rest of October. (set: $money to $money - 350)
It is expensive, but it is really nice to have the saved time and convenience right now. (set: $well to $well + 10)
[[Next.|DeeBlock9]]The cheapest way to get food for your family is to rely on food banks and community meals.
[[Go to the food bank closest to you.|DeeBankOctL]]
[[Go to the Aboriginal food bank.|DeeIndigenousOctL]]
[[Go to the Friendship Center.|DeeFoodEventsL]]The food bank is full of Thanksgiving donations. You get a turkey and six boxes of stuffing. You hate stuffing, but what choice do you have? (set: $well to $well - 5)
What do you want to do for groceries the rest of the month?
[[Make healthy meals from scratch to cut costs.|DeeHomemadeOctL]]
[[Buy easy to prepare healthy foods.|DeeEasyOctL]]
[[Find the cheapest way to get food.|DeeCheapOctL]]The Aboriginal food bank is open from 5pm to 9pm. You work between 7pm to 7am.
Even if you arrived at the foodbank at 5pm, you would still be cutting it close in terms of making it to work on time.
What do you want to do?
[[Try to make it to and from the Aboriginal food bank in time.|DeeGoOctE]]
[[Go to the food bank closest to you, instead.|DeeBankOctE]]
[[Go to the Friendship Center.|DeeFoodEventsE]]There are several community meals being offered at the Friendship Center this month, but all of them conflict with your work schedule. (set: $well to $well - 5)
[[Go to the food bank closest to you.|DeeBankOctE]]
[[Go to the Aboriginal food bank.|DeeIndigenousOctE]]
[[Buy the cheapest groceries that you can.|DeeLessOctE]]Because it is so far away, travelling to and from the Aboriginal food bank adds an additional $20 in travel costs. (set: $money to $money - 20)
When you arrive, you find a sign stating that due to a power outage, the Aboriginal food bank is closed. (set: $well to $well - 5)
You wasted two hours of your day and you still do not have any groceries to feed your family.
(set: $food to $food + 1.0)
[[Go to the food bank closest to you.|DeeBankOctE]]
[[Go to the Friendship Center.|DeeFoodEventsE]]
[[Buy the cheapest groceries that you can.|DeeLessOctE]]You spend $150 to buy the cheapest groceries that you can find. (set: $money to $money - 150)
The food is not enough. Your risk of food insecurity increases as you skip meals to make the food last for your children. (set: $food to $food + 2)
Without enough calories, you have very little energy. You cannot keep up with your work and get a low performance review. (set: $well to $well - 20)
What do you want to do for groceries the rest of the month?
[[Make healthy meals from scratch.|DeeHomemadeOctL]]
[[Buy easy to prepare healthy foods.|DeeEasyOctL]]
[[Find the cheapest way to get food.|DeeCheapOctL]]You currently have:
$(Print: $money) money
(Print: $well) wellbeing points
(Print: $food) food insecurity points
You send your sons to school each day with a packed lunch, but your oldest son, Alex, keeps coming home really hungry.
He seems distracted and can’t concentrate. You’ve had to start buying extra groceries just to accommodate his appetite. (set: $money to $money - 30)
Your sons’ teachers have requested a conference with you during parent teacher interviews.
The parent teacher interviews conflict with your work schedule. What will you do?
[[See if you can switch a shift so you can go.|DeeSwitchShift]]
[[Skip the parent teacher interviews.|DeeSkipTeacher]]The food bank is experiencing a post-Thanksgiving slow down. The food bank is almost empty.
Without access to affordable food, your risk of food insecurity is high. (set: $food to $food + 2)
What do you want to do?
[[Go to the Aboriginal food bank.|DeeIndigenousOctL]]
[[Go to the Friendship Center.|DeeFoodEventsL]]
[[Buy cheap groceries.|DeeLessOctL]]The Aboriginal food bank is open tomorrow night from 5pm to 9pm. Fortunately you have the night off from work.
Because it is so far away, travelling to and from the Aboriginal food bank adds an additional $20 in travel costs. (set: $money to $money - 20)
When you arrive they have plenty of food options. You leave the food bank with enough food to get you through the end of October! (set: $well to $well + 10)
[[Next.|DeeBlock9]]There are several community meals being offered at the Friendship Center this month, but all of them conflict with your work schedule. (set: $well to $well - 10)
[[Go to the food bank closest to you.|DeeBankOctL]]
[[Go to the Aboriginal food bank.|DeeIndigenousOctL]]
[[Go to the grocery store and buy the cheapest groceries that you can.|DeeLessOctL]]You spend $150 to buy the cheapest groceries that you can find. (set: $money to $money - 150)
The food is not enough. Your risk of food insecurity is high, as you skip meals to make the food last longer for your children. (set: $food to $food + 2)
Without enough calories, you find yourself becoming irritable and impatient with your children. (set: $well to $well - 10)
[[Next.|DeeBlock9]]You find another nurse who is willing to switch you shifts.
The only problem is that the new shift would be on a Saturday. You do not have anybody to watch the kids on that day.
It will cost you $50 to hire a babysitter to watch the kids while you work the Saturday shift. The babysitter does not take a credit card.
[[Pay to hire a sitter so you can switch shifts.|DeePayToGo]]
[[Skip the parent teacher interviews.|DeeSkipTeacher]]You hate to miss the meeting, but you do not have the money to hire a babysitter. (set: $well to $well - 5)
One week later you receive a note from the teacher that your son was sent to the principal’s office for getting into a fight.
When you call the teacher to learn more about the fight, she points out that the problems have been ongoing for weeks.
She had wanted to talk to you about during the parent interviews, but you did not attend. (set: $well to $well - 5)
[[Talk to Alex to find out what happened.|DeeAskAlex]]You pay $50 to hire a babysitter. (set: $money to $money - 50)
Your first meeting goes well. Your youngest son Nick is doing well in Grade 1. His teacher has no concerns.
Your second meeting goes less well. Alex’s Grade 4 teacher has concerns about the fact that
Alex started a fight with another child.
[[Ask Alex his side of the story.|DeeAskAlex]]You ask Alex what happened. He tells you that two boys at his school have been picking on him and stealing his lunch.
The last time they tried to steal his lunch, he yelled at them to stop. The teacher heard him yelling and sent him to the principal’s office.
He tried to explain the situation, but neither his teacher nor the principal believed him.
[[Set up a meeting with the principal.|DeeSetUpMeeting]]
[[Let it go. You do not have time to deal with this right now.|DeeLetItGo]]You call the school to set: up a meeting. The only meeting time that is available is in the evening on a day that you are scheduled to work.
You can switch shifts to make it work, but then you will have to hire a sitter to watch the kids.
[[Pay to hire a sitter.|DeePayMeeting]]
[[Do a phone meeting instead.|DeeSkipMeeting]]You wish you had time to deal with this, but you are overwhelmed by your new job.
Your son continues to be hungry when he gets home. He is overtired and cannot concentrate. (set: $well to $well - 10)
At the moment, you feel completely helpless juggling so many things at once! (set: $well to $well - 10)
[[Get your first paycheck.|DeeBlock10]]You pay $50 to hire a babysitter. (set: $money to $money - 50)
During the meeting, you make it clear that you are very unhappy with how your son has been treated by these other children and the school.
You work with Alex’s teacher and the principal to outline an anti-bullying plan for your son.
You leave the meeting feeling good that you advocated on behalf of your child. (set: $well to $well - 5)
[[Get your first paycheck.|DeeBlock10]]You cannot afford to hire a babysitter so that you can switch shifts. You are forced to cancel the meeting and call in instead.
Over the phone you try to make it clear that you are very unhappy with how your son has been treated.
Still, it is unclear how well your message was received by the teacher and the principal.
The stealing stops, but your son continues to hate school. (set: $well to $well - 10)
[[Get your first paycheck.|DeeBlock10]]You currently have:
$(Print: $money) money
(Print: $well) wellbeing points
(Print: $food) food insecurity points
You get your first paycheck!
(set: $money to $money + 4500) You now have $[$money].
It’s also time to pay the next batch of monthly bills. (set: $money to $money - 2000)
You also have to set:tle up on the money you owe from last month’s bills. (set: $money to $money - 2000)
You now have $[$money].
[[Time to celebrate!|DeeCelebrate]]It’s been a rough past few months! You would like to celebrate your new job by making a traditional First Nations meal.
To make this meal, you will need hard to find ingredients such as hickory nuts, fiddleheads, and country meats (e.g., venison).
The problem is that you have no idea where to get these ingredients in the city.
You look online. There is a First Nations community store four hours away. It would cost you $60 to travel there.
A few specialty stores sell the ingredients online. But you may need to buy these items in bulk.
Shipping and delivery costs could be expensive.
What do you want to do?
[[Drive to the community store.|DeeCommunityStore]]
[[Order the traditional foods online.|DeeOrderOnline]]
[[Try to find the foods locally.|DeeFindLocally]]You and your kids decide to do a road trip. The transportation costs and ingredients cost you $130. (set: $money to $money - 130)
You wish it were easier to get these traditional foods where you live. (set: $food to $food + 0.5)
[[Make the celebratory meal.|DeeMakeMeal]]You find and order all of the foods online. After shipping costs, the total comes to $150. (set: $money to $money - 150)
You wish it were easier to get these traditional foods where you live. (set: $food to $food + 0.5)
[[Make the celebratory meal.|DeeMakeMeal]]You call the Aboriginal food bank to see if the carry the ingredients.
They only have a few of the ingredients on your list.
You ask around and learn that there are very few options for finding traditional foods in your city.
You wish it were easier to get these traditional foods where you live. (set: $food to $food + 0.5)
[[Make do with the ingredients you did find|DeeMakeDo]]
[[Drive to the community store.|DeeCommunityStore]]
[[Order the rest of the ingredients online.|DeeOrderOnline]]You have a great time making and eating the celebratory meal with your children!
You love that you can pass your knowledge of traditional foods on to them. (set: $well to $well +10)
[[Did you succeed in your quest to help Dolores?|DeeDebrief]]You are not able to make a traditional meal, but you still have fun making a celebratory dinner with your children.
You wish you could pass your knowledge of traditional foods on to them.
[[Did you succeed in your quest to help Dolores?|DeeDebrief]]Congratulations! You helped Dolores survive her first few months in a new city.
Your quest was to help Dolores avoid food insecurity and build new community connections as she and her children got set:tled in a new city.
Food security can be defined as “the condition in which all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life.” (Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations).
You ended the game with:
$(Print: $money) money
(Print: $well) wellbeing points
(Print: $food) food insecurity points
Striking the balance between financial security, food security, and wellbeing is not easy. Indeed, people often sacrifice their own personal health to live within a budget and/or sacrifice their financial wellbeing in order to manage their health.
[[Learn more about food insecurity|FiveDolores]]The Ryerson University Centre for Studies in Food Security examine Five A’s of food security:
Availability: Sufficient food for all people at all times.
Accessibility: Physical & economic access to food.
Adequacy: Nutritious, safe, and sustainable food.
Acceptability: Culturally & socially acceptable food.
Agency: Food security policies & processes.
The Government of Canada’s Household Food Security Survey Module (HFSSM) is a tool that measures the extent to which members of a given household experience “uncertain, insufficient or inadequate food access, availability and utilization due to limited financial resources”. Moderate food insecurity is characterized by a compromise in the quantity and quality of food. Severe food insecurity is indicated by reduced and disrupted food intake.
The fictional characters in this game represent just a few of the unique stories of food insecurity from the more than four million Canadians who experience food insecurity each year. In Ontario alone, more than half a million households (> 500,000) face food insecurity. Indeed, because of its large population, Ontario is the province in Canada with the highest number of households living with food insecurity (http://proof.utoronto.ca/).
[[Learn more about Dolores’ unique risk factors|DoloresUnique]]Dolores faces unique risk factors as a consequence of:
•Being a First Nations woman.
•Being a single mother.
Dolores is at risk of food insecurity as a First Nations women. Many people know that for people living in remote First Nations communities in Ontario, the cost of food is approximately 2.5 times higher than in off-reserve areas of Ontario (Veeraraghavan et al., 2016). However, fewer people know that even in urban areas, First Nations individuals experience rates of food insecurity about three times higher than the non-Indigenous population.
Because of past and present discriminatory policies, First Nations people are less likely than other Canadians to be able to rely on generational wealth passed down from their parents and grandparents, which increases risk of poverty and food insecurity. First Nations people are also more likely to experience discrimination that impacts income and access to resources. In addition, few urban grocery stores carry culturally appropriate traditional foods.
Single mother households also experience food insecurity at a rate two times greater than single-father households (Dietitians of Canada, 2016). In general, female parents are significantly more likely than male parents to make personal sacrifices to ensure that children do not go hungry. Rates of food insecurity are particularly high among single Aboriginal mothers who face additional sources of discrimination (Baskin et al., 2009).
[[Play Again|Character]]
[[End Game|EndCredits]]With your limited English language skills you will have difficulty finding housing on your own.
The hotel offers a translation service for $100.
[[Hire the hotel translator.|SaadTranslator]]
[[Search the internet for housing.|SaadInternet]]
[[Get help from a community organization.|SaadBlock2]]If you had a job, you could afford better housing and healthier food. In Syria you were a high school math teacher.
To teach here in Canada, you will need to get recertified. This may be difficult with your limited English language skills.
[[Look into recertification.|SaadRecertified]]
[[Reach out to neighbors for employment ideas.|SaadNeighbors]]
[[Get help from a community organization.|SaadBlock2]]You want to sign up for language classes, but you do not know where to find one. If you take an online class your wife and kids could learn as well.
[[Sign up for an online class ($200).|SaadOnlineClass]]
[[Ask your neighbors for information.|SaadAskNeighbor]]
[[Get help from a community organization.|SaadBlock2]]You pay $100 to hire a translator to help you inquire about the availability of apartments. (set: $money to $money - 100)
Each call ends the same: nobody wants to rent to a family as large as your family. It is very discouraging! (set: $well to $well - 10)
In the meantime, your family continues to be dependent on expensive and unhealthy hotel food. This increases your risk for food insecurity. (set: $food to $food + 1.0) (set: $money to $money - 200)
[[Find employment.|SaadJob]]
[[Sign up for English language classes.|SaadEnglish]]
[[Get help from a community organization.|SaadBlock2]]You use an online translation app to look through apartment listings. Very few acceptable apartments come up in your price range. (set: $well to $well - 10)
Finally, you find a one bedroom basement apartment available for $1000 a month.
[[Email about the apartment.|SaadEmailApartment]]
[[Find a job so you can afford more options.|SaadJob]]
[[Get help from a community organization.|SaadBlock2]]You currently have:
$(Print: $money) money
(Print: $well) wellbeing points
(Print: $food) food insecurity points
When you arrived in Canada, you were assigned a caseworker through a Reset:tlement Assistance Program (RAP).
The next appointment with your caseworker is not for four weeks. Still, the RAP office may be able to give you information to help you get set:tled.
There is also a Muslim Community Association and a food bank nearby. Where would you like to go?
[[Walk to the RAP office 1 km away.|SaadRAP]]
[[Go to the Muslim Community Centre 5km away.|SaadMCC]]
[[Go to the food bank 2km away.|SaadFoodBank]]The response to your email is short, “The apartment is no longer available.”
You try again with another apartment. This time you get no response at all to your emails. You are getting discouraged! (set: $well to $well - 10)
In the meantime, your family continues to be dependent on hotel food. This is expensive and increases your risk for food insecurity. (set: $food to $food + 2.0) (set: $money to $money - 200)
[[Find employment.|SaadJob]]
[[Sign up for English language classes.|SaadEnglish]]
[[Get help from a community organization.|SaadBlock2]]Using the internet, you find a free information session about the Canadian certification process for teachers with foreign credentials.
The session is held in a city three hours away. It will cost $100 in travel costs to attend.
[[Attend the session.|SaadAttendSession]]
[[Focus on learning English, instead.|SaadEnglish]]
[[Get help from a community organization.|SaadBlock2]]You ask around and learn that one of your neighbors is starting a small business and needs help managing his money.
He is able to pay you $200 for some initial accounting services. (set: $money to $money + 200) It feels good to use your skills! (set: $well to $well + 10)
Now you just need better housing. Maybe a community organization can help.
[[Get help from a community organization.|SaadBlock2]]It costs you $100 to travel to the session. (set: $money to $money - 100) But, it is informative and you grow your network of professional connections. (set: $well to $well + 15)
In the meantime, you continue living in a hotel room. Your reliance on hotel food is expensive and increases your risk of food insecurity. (set: $food to $food + 1.0)(set: $money to $money - 100)
[[Get help from a community organization.|SaadBlock2]]The online class is expensive, but fun. (set: $money to $money - 200) It really helps all of you improve your English language skills. (set: $well to $well + 15)
In the meantime, however, you continue living in the hotel room. Your reliance on hotel food is expensive and increases your risk of food insecurity. (set: $money to $money - 200) (set: $food to $food + 2.0)
[[Get help from a community organization.|SaadBlock2]]Meeting your neighbours is fun and helps you feel socially connected and supported. (set: $well to $well + 5)
Your neighbors encourage you to get help from a community organization. Many offer free language courses.
[[Get help from a community organization.|SaadBlock2]]When you arrive at the RAP office a man named Karam greets you in Arabic. He has a few extra minutes and would be happy to answer your questions.
[[Ask about permanent housing.|SaadRAPhousing]]
[[Ask about finding employment.|SaadRAPemployment]]
[[Ask about learning English.|SaadRAPenglish]]The MCC offers a community meal twice per week. You have arrived just in time to enjoy the taste of a nice (and free) meal. (set: $well to $well + 5)
A warm meal twice per week is like having an extra $50 in your pocket! Now you must figure out how to feed your family the rest of the week. (set: $money to $money + 50)
[[Figure out how to feed your family.|SaadBlock3]]You and your daughters walk down to the food bank. With your limited English language skills you struggle to make yourself understood. (set: $well to $well - 10)
Finally, however, the woman nods and hands you a box of food.
Unfortunately, without a kitchen, you are unable to prepare most of the foods you received. (set: $food to $food + 2.0)
[[Figure out another way to feed your family.|SaadBlock3]]Karam explains that the government provides a small housing allowance, but it is rarely enough to pay for an apartment. You will need to budget your money wisely.
Your caseworker will help you find an affordable apartment. But, your appointment is not for four more weeks. For now, you must continue living in the hotel.
[[Figure out how to feed your family.|SaadBlock3]]Karam explains that for the first six months refugees are encouraged to focus on acquiring language skills to help prepare them for employment.
The Canadian government will provide your family with income help. It will be a few more weeks, however, until you receive your first income check.
[[Figure out how to feed your family.|SaadBlock3]]Karam explains that when you arrived in Canada, you and your family members were added to a waiting list for an English language course.
The wait list for the course is long and it may be months before a spot opens up. In the meantime, you must figure out how to feed your family.
[[Figure out how to feed your family.|SaadBlock3]]You currently have:
$(Print: $money) money
(Print: $well) wellbeing points
(Print: $food) food insecurity points
The hotel food is easy to acquire but unhealthy and expensive. Alternatively, you could buy cheaper fast foods or healthier foods at a grocery store.
[[Keep eating the hotel food.|SaadHotelFood]]
[[Eat fast food, instead.|SaadFastFood]]
[[Find a grocery store.|SaadGroceryShop]]The meat is not halal, so the vegetarian meals are the only option for you. The hotel meals cost around $8 per meal.
You are reliant on these meals for the next four weeks. At $8 per meal, how many meals per day can you afford to share between the five of you?
[[Three meals per day to share.|SaadThreeMeals]]
[[Two meals per day to share.|SaadTwoMeals]]
[[One meal per day to share.|SaadOneMeal]]Over the next four weeks, you spend $400 to eat fresh fruit for breakfast and fast food for lunch and dinner. (set: $money to $money - 400)
The fast food helps you avoid hunger, but it is greasy and causes your stomachs to ache. The poor quality of food increases your risk of food insecurity. (set: $food to $food + 2.0)
[[Go to the caseworker appointment.|SaadBlock4]]The nearest grocery store is 3 km away. How do you want to get there?
[[Take public transit.|SaadPublicTransit]]
[[Take a cab/car service.|SaadCarService]]
[[Walk to the grocery store.|SaadWalkGrocery]]Over the next few weeks, it costs you $700 to order three meals per day to share between the five of you. (set: $money to $money - 700)
It is not quite enough food to keep you all fed and you miss having variety in your diet. This increases your risk of food insecurity. (set: $food to $food + 1.0)
Because you are not leaving the hotel for meals, you and your children spend most of the next four weeks in the cramped hotel room. (set: $well to $well - 10)
[[Go to the caseworker appointment.|SaadBlock4]]Over the next few weeks, it costs you $500 to order two meals per day to share between the five of you. (set: $money to $money - 500)
To make sure your wife and kids have enough to eat, you start skipping meals. This increases your risk of food insecurity. (set: $food to $food + 2.0)
Because you are not leaving the hotel for meals, you and your children spend most of the next four weeks in the cramped hotel room. (set: $well to $well - 10)
[[Go to the caseworker appointment.|SaadBlock4]]Over the next few weeks, it costs you $250 to order one meal per day to share between the five of you. (set: $money to $money - 250)
The five of you spend most of the time feeling hungry. Your nutritional needs are not being met and you are definitely experiencing food insecurity. (set: $food to $food + 3.0)
Because you are not leaving the hotel for meals, you and your children spend most of the next four weeks in the cramped hotel room. (set: $well to $well - 15)
[[Go to the caseworker appointment.|SaadBlock4]]You currently have:
$(Print: $money) money
(Print: $well) wellbeing points
(Print: $food) food insecurity points
In your meeting with the caseworker you learn that you are now eligible for shelter allowance and income assistance.
Each month you will have $2000 to pay for housing, transportation, clothing, groceries, and other expenses. (set: $money to $money + 2000)
The first priority: getting your family into permanent housing. The case worker has found three potential apartments.
[[See Apartment A: One bedroom, $800/month.|SaadApartmentA]]
[[See Apartment B: Two bedroom, $1100/month.|SaadApartmentB]]
[[See Apartment C: Three bedroom, $1300/month.|SaadApartmentC]]Your first visit to the grocery store is intimidating. It is difficult to read the food labels and much of the food is unfamiliar. (set: $well to $well - 10)
Over four weeks, you spend $450 on transportation costs and groceries. (set: $money to $money - 450)
Unfortunately, without a way to prepare meals, you must buy expensive pre-made foods. The cost and lack of variety put you at risk for food insecurity. (set: $food to $food + 1.0)
On the plus side, the frequent trips to the grocery store help you feel more confident in navigating the bus system. (set: $well to $well + 10)
[[Go to the caseworker appointment.|SaadBlock4]]You do not feel confident enough to navigate the bus system, so you take a cab/car service each time you want to go to the grocery store.
Over the next four weeks, you spend $600 on transportation costs and grocery shopping. (set: $money to $money - 600)
Unfortunately, without a way to prepare food, you must buy expensive pre-made meals.The cost and lack of variety put you at risk for food insecurity. (set: $food to $food + 1.0)
[[Go to the caseworker appointment.|SaadBlock4]]The walk to and from the grocery store becomes a fun opportunity for you and your children to explore your new city. (set: $well to $well + 10)
Over four weeks, you spend $400 to buy groceries for your family. (set: $money to $money - 400)
Unfortunately, without a way to prepare food, you must buy expensive pre-made meals.The cost and lack of variety put you at risk for food insecurity. (set: $food to $food + 1.0)
[[Go to the caseworker appointment.|SaadBlock4]]The apartment is on the first floor and includes one large bedroom, a bathroom, a small eat-in kitchen, and a living room with a sofa bed.
The apartment building is old, but appears to clean and well maintained.
[[Rent Apartment A for $800/month.|SaadRentApartmentA]]
[[See Apartment B: Two bedroom, $1100/month.|SaadApartmentB]]
[[See Apartment C: Three bedroom, $1300/month.|SaadApartmentC]]The apartment includes two bedrooms, a bathroom, a small kitchen, and a combined living room and dining area.
The refrigerator and stove are old and dirty and there are stains on the ceiling and carpet.
[[Rent Apartment B for $1100/month.|SaadRentApartmentB]]
[[See Apartment A: One bedroom, $800/month.|SaadApartmentA]]
[[See Apartment C: Three bedroom, $1300/month.|SaadApartmentC]]The apartment is perfect for you. It has three bedrooms, a large kitchen, a sitting room, and a dining area.
It even comes with a clothes washer and dryer. The apartment is clean and spacious and all of the appliances are new.
[[Rent Apartment C for $1300/month.|SaadRentApartmentC]]
[[See Apartment A: One bedroom, $800/month.|SaadApartmentA]]
[[See Apartment B: Three bedroom, $1100/month.|SaadApartmentB]]The landlord permits a maximum of three people to live in the one-bedroom units. You cannot rent this apartment. (set: $well to $well - 5)
[[See Apartment B: Two bedroom, $1100/month.|SaadApartmentB]]
[[See Apartment C: Three bedroom, $1300/month.|SaadApartmentC]]You sign a rental agreement for the two bedroom apartment. The apartment costs you $1100 per month, plus $100 in utilities. (set: $money to $money - 1200)
You spend $100 in paint and cleaning supplies to make the apartment look nicer. (set: $money to $money - 100)
Unfortunately after moving in you discover that the stove and refrigerator do not work. (set: $well to $well - 10)
The apartment owner tells you that you are responsible for replacing them.
[[Pay to replace the refrigerator and stove.|SaadPayFridge]]
[[Reach out to the RAP for assistance.|SaadRAPfridge]]You contact your caseworker who refers you to an organization that handles housing disputes.
It takes several weeks and a lot of stress, but the owner finally agrees to replace the refrigerator and stove. (set: $well to $well - 5)
During that time you have to rely on pre-prepared foods, which is expensive and increases the severity of your food insecurity.(set: $food to $food + 2.0) (set: $money to $money - 100)
[[Buy groceries for the apartment.|SaadBlock5]]It costs you $200 to have the refrigerator and stove repaired. (set: $money to $money - 200)
[[Buy groceries for the apartment.|SaadBlock5]]You currently have:
$(Print: $money) money
(Print: $well) wellbeing points
(Print: $food) food insecurity points
Now that you have permanent housing and a working kitchen, you can buy groceries to prepare meals. Where would you like to go?
[[Budget grocery store 5km away.|SaadBudgetGrocery]]
[[Middle Eastern Grocery store 1km away.|SaadMiddleEast]]
[[Food bank 4km away.|SaadNewFoodBank]]When your case worker helps you inquire about the apartment you are told that the unit has already been rented to another family. (set: $well to $well + 10)
There is an identical unit available on the same floor. However, because that unit has a better view, it costs $1600 per month.
[[Rent Apartment C for $1600/month.|SaadRentApartmentC1600]]
[[See Apartment A: One bedroom, $800/month.|SaadApartmentA]]
[[See Apartment B: Three bedroom, $1100/month.|SaadApartmentB]]You are excited to finally have a place to call your own (set: $well to $well + 20)
Still, the apartment costs you $1600 per month, plus $100 in utilities. (set: $money to $money - 1700)
This is twice the cost of your housing allowance, which puts you at high risk for experiencing food insecurity. (set: $food to $food + 2.0)
[[Buy groceries for the apartment.|SaadBlock5]]It costs you $6 in bus fair to get to the budget grocery store and $19 in cab fare to return with your groceries. (set: $money to $money - 25)
You want to buy groceries to last you two weeks. How much can you afford to spend?
[[$400 for two week’s worth of groceries.|SaadBuyHealthy]]
[[$300 for two week’s worth of groceries.|SaadBuyCheapFood]]
[[Less than $200 for two week’s worth of groceries.|SaadBuyLessFood]]By going to the Middle Eastern Grocery store, you can feel confident that the foods are Halal. (set: $well to $well + 10)
You save money in transportation costs, but the price of foods are higher here than they would be at a larger budget grocery store.
How much can you afford to spend on groceries each week?
[[$225.|SaadMiddleEast225]]
[[$175.|SaadMiddleEast175]]
[[$125.|SaadMiddleEast125]]Going to the food bank is draining. Language barriers are a real problem and there are few Halal options. (set: $well to $well - 5)
The food comes in cans and cardboard boxes. Most of the items are completely unfamiliar to you. (set: $well to $well - 5)
The food does not seem to have a lot of nutritional value. Your risk of food insecurity increases as you worry about the health of your wife and children. (set: $food to $food + 2.0)
[[Help your daughters get ready for school.|SaadBlock6]]For $400, you are able to buy plenty of healthy foods to eat. (set: $money to $money - 400) (set: $well to $well + 10)
[[Help your daughters get ready for school.|SaadBlock6]]Canned foods, boxed meals, and frozen foods cost less than fresh foods, so you buy $300 worth of processed foods. (set: $money to $money - 300)
Unfortunately, processed foods tend to be high in sodium and low in nutrition. The poor quality of the food increases your risk of food insecurity. (set: $food to $food + 1.0)
[[Help your daughters get ready for school.|SaadBlock6]]For $175, you buy a large bag of rice and a few simple ingredients to last you for the next two weeks. (set: $money to $money - 175)
You find yourself reducing your food intake to ensure your wife and kids have enough to eat.
This increases the severity of your food insecurity. (set: $food to $food + 2.0)
Due to the lack of nutrition, your energy levels are low. Long term, this is not a good strategy. (set: $well to $well - 5)
[[Help your daughters get ready for school.|SaadBlock6]]You currently have:
$(Print: $money) money
(Print: $well) wellbeing points
(Print: $food) food insecurity points
Your daughters start school in a few weeks. They will each need a backpack, new shoes, clothing, and a few basic school supplies.
[[Go to a shopping mall.|SaadShoppingMall]]
[[Go to a bargain outlet.|SaadBudgetClothes]]
[[Go to the free clothing bank.|SaadClothesBank]]Over two weeks, it costs you $450 to buy a range of healthy foods. (set: $money to $money - 450) (set: $well to $well + 10)
[[Help your daughters get ready for school.|SaadBlock6]]Over two weeks, it costs you $350 to feed your family. (set: $money to $money - 350)
To stick to your budget, you mainly eat meals of rice and fruit. These low variety meals increase your risk for food insecurity. (set: $food to $food + 2.0)
[[Help your daughters get ready for school.|SaadBlock6]]For $250, you buy only the bare minimum amount of groceries. (set: $money to $money - 250)
With so little food to eat, everyone in your family is at risk of experiencing food insecurity, poor nutrition, and low energy. (set: $food to $food + 3.0) (set: $well to $well - 10)
[[Help your daughters get ready for school.|SaadBlock6]]There is no bus service to the mall, so it costs you $30 in cab fare to get there and back. (set: $money to $money - 30)
You have $[$money]. What can you afford to buy?
[[Let each daughter pick new clothes.|SaadAllMall]]
[[Pick out cheap clothes for you daughters.|SaadSomeMall]]
[[Buy only key necessities.|SaadBasicsMall]]It costs you $3 in transportation costs to travel to the bargain outlet. (set: $money to $money - 3)
You have $[$money]. What can you afford to buy?
[[Let each daughter pick new clothes.|SaadAllBudget]]
[[Pick out cheap clothes for you daughters.|SaadSomeBudget]]
[[Buy only key necessities.|SaadBasicsBudget]]You spend $3 to take public transit to the clothing bank. (set: $money to $money - 3)
As a new refugee you receive clothes, shoes, and a backpack at no additional cost to you. (set: $well to $well + 5)
Now you need to find a way to get all of this clothing home.
[[Take a cab/car service.|SaadClothesCab]]
[[Take public transit.|SaadClothesTransit]]Your daughters are thrilled and pick out $300’s worth of clothing. (set: $money to $money - 300) (set: $well to $well + 10)
[[Go with your wife to her doctor’s appointment.|SaadBlock7]]You pick out $200’s worth of clothing for your children. They are happy. (set: $money to $money - 200) (set: $well to $well + 5)
[[Go with your wife to her doctor’s appointment.|SaadBlock7]]You spend $100 on a backpack and new shoes for each of your daughters. (set: $money to $money - 100)
Your children are disappointed that they did not get to pick out new clothes. (set: $well to $well - 5)
[[Go with your wife to her doctor’s appointment.|SaadBlock7]]You currently have:
$(Print: $money) money
(Print: $well) wellbeing points
(Print: $food) food insecurity points
At a routine prenatal appointment, a blood test reveals that your wife is not getting enough iron in her diet.
Her doctor recommends that for the rest of her pregnancy she increase the amount of meat, eggs, and leafy greens that she consumes.
[[Buy all of the high iron foods your wife needs.|SaadHighIron]]
[[Strike a balance between nutrition and cost.|SaadStrikeBalance]]
[[Find the cheapest way possible to get iron.|SaadCheapestFood]]You spend $200 and your kids are happy to get new clothing. (set: $money to $money - 200) (set: $well to $well + 5)
Now you just need to find a way to get all of your purchases home.
[[Take a cab/car service.|SaadClothesCab]]
[[Take public transit.|SaadClothesTransit]]You spend $150 on the cheapest clothing you can find at the store. (set: $money to $money - 150)
Your children are disappointed that they did not get to pick out what they wanted. (set: $well to $well - 5)
Plus,you still need to find a way to get all of your purchases home.
[[Take a cab/car service.|SaadClothesCab]]
[[Take public transit.|SaadClothesTransit]]You spend $75 on a backpack and new shoes for each of your daughters. (set: $money to $money - 75)
Your kids are disappointed that they did not get any new clothes. (set: $well to $well - 5)
[[Go with your wife to her doctor’s appointment.|SaadBlock7]]The ride costs you $15, but it is relaxing and easy. (set: $money to $money - 15) (set: $well to $well + 5)
[[Go with your wife to her doctor’s appointment.|SaadBlock7]]With effort, you gather up the bags of clothing and walk to the bus station.
The ride is cheap ($3), but the trip is long. (set: $money to $money - 3) (set: $well to $well + 5)
[[Go with your wife to her doctor’s appointment.|SaadBlock7]]For $400, you are able to buy plenty of high iron foods for your wife to eat over the next few weeks. (set: $money to $money - 400)
The change in diet seems to help. Your wife has more energy and is looking healthier each day. (set: $well to $well + 10)
[[Drop your kids off for their first day of school.|SaadBlock8]]Given your limited income, how would you like to you ensure that your wife gets enough iron?
[[Skip your own meals to buy high iron foods.|SaadBalance150]]
[[Buy iron fortified foods, such as cereal.|SaadBalance100]]
[[Explore community options for getting high iron foods.|SaadCheapestFood]]Being low on money, you must rely on a food bank, which carries processed foods that are low in nutrients. This puts you at risk for food insecurity. (set: $food to $food + 2.0)
Fortunately, twice per week you and the children also take public transit to the Muslim Community Centre for their family meal. (set: $money to $money - 12)
You are able to bring home a warm meal for your wife, which ensures that she eats an iron rich meal twice per week. (set: $well to $well + 5)
[[Drop your kids off for their first day of school.|SaadBlock8]]You currently have:
$(Print: $money) money
(Print: $well) wellbeing points
(Print: $food) food insecurity points
After their first day of school, the children report mixed reviews about their experiences.
Your two older daughters felt different from their classmates, especially when it came to their lunches.
Tomorrow, they would like you to pack them a more “Canadian” lunch, with a turkey and cheese sandwich, goldfish crackers, carrot sticks, and a cookie.
You do not currently have these types of groceries in your home.
[[Go to the store to buy the ingredients.|SaadBuyIngredients]]
[[Try to make these items from existing ingredients.|SaadUseExisting]]
[[Explain why you want to pack food from home.|SaadExplainHome]]By cutting back on your own food intake, you are able to buy two week’s worth of high iron foods for your wife for $300. (set: $money to $money - 300)
The increase in iron intake seems to help your wife a lot. She has more energy than she did before. (set: $well to $well + 10)
You, on the other hand, are feeling the consequences of skipping meals, as you feel tired all of the time. (set: $food to $food + 2) (set: $well to $well - 10)
[[Drop your kids off for their first day of school.|SaadBlock8]]On your budget, you cannot afford to buy foods that are naturally high in iron, so you opt to buy $300 worth of iron fortified processed foods. (set: $money to $money - 300)
These foods are cheaper than fresh foods, but not as effective as natural sources of iron. Still, it is better than nothing.
Unfortunately, your inability to afford the foods that you and your family need increases the severity of your food insecurity. (set: $food to $food + 2.0)
[[Drop your kids off for their first day of school.|SaadBlock8]]You and your children take the bus to the store and pick out the items that they want in their lunch. (set: $money to $money - 30)
You are not happy about the added costs, but your daughters seem happier the next day at school. (set: $well to $well + 5)
Your risk of food insecurity increases as you feel uncertain how to maintain your food connections to Syria, while also fitting into Canada. (set: $food to $food + 1.0)
[[Attend the birth of your son.|SaadBlock9]]You use ingredients that you have at home to make a lunch like the one described to you.
When your oldest daughter sees the lunch, she looks at you in horror and bursts into tears. “This is not what I meant!”
You waver between anger at her lack of appreciation and deep sadness for the difficult transition that your children are having to make. (set: $well to $well - 15)
Your risk of food insecurity increases as you feel uncertain how to maintain your food connections to Syria, while also fitting into Canada. (set: $food to $food + 2.0)
[[Attend the birth of your son.|SaadBlock9]]You tell your daughters how cooking foods from Syria help you stay connected to your memories of home and family.
The conversation about food provides you with an opportunity to bond with your daughters. (set: $well to $well + 5)
Still, your risk of food insecurity increases as you feel uncertain how to maintain your food connections with Syria, while also fitting into Canada. (set: $food to $food + 1.0)
[[Attend the birth of your son.|SaadBlock9]]You currently have:
$(Print: $money) money
(Print: $well) wellbeing points
(Print: $food) food insecurity points
Your wife goes into labour and you welcome a fourth child into your family!
When your first three children were born, you hosted an aqeeqah (birth ceremony) to welcome your baby.
Each time, your family members would bring traditional dishes and you would supply a roasted lamb to feed your family, friends, and neighbors.
[[Host a traditional aqeeqah with neighbours.|SaadHostAqeeqah]]
[[Have a small celebration with just your family.|SaadCelebrateWithFamily]]
[[Wait until you can afford a large celebration.|SaadWaitAqeeqah]] You invite your new neighbors and friends to mark the occasion of the birth of your fourth child.
The party costs you $200, but it is worth it. (set: $money to $money - 200) (set: $well to $well + 10)
Slowly, as you make friends, Canada is starting to feel like a place you could call home.
[[Did you succeed in your quest to help Saad?|SaadDebrief]]You order a small leg of lamb from the butcher and make a nice meal for your wife and daughters. (set: $money to $money - 50)
Even if the celebration is small, it feels good to mark the occasion of your fourth child’s birth. (set: $well to $well + 5)
It will take time, but eventually Canada will start to feel like a place you could call home.
[[Did you succeed in your quest to help Saad?|SaadDebrief]]The birth of your child brings you great joy, but the new baby also reminds you of all that you have lost.
You miss sharing large celebratory meals with family and friends. You miss your traditions and your comfort foods. (set: $well to $well - 10)
Not being able to access culturally appropriate foods increases your risk of food insecurity. (set: $food to $food + 1)
You know that eventually you will feel more at ease here, but for now, Canada does not yet feel like “home”.
[[Did you succeed in your quest to help Saad?|SaadDebrief]]Congratulations! You helped Saad and his family survive their first few months in Canada.
Your quest was to help Saad and his family avoid food insecurity as they learned to live on a fixed income and adjust to life in Canada.
Food security can be defined as “the condition in which all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life.” (Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations).
You ended the game with:
$(Print: $money) money
(Print: $well) wellbeing points
(Print: $food) food insecurity points
Striking the balance between financial security, food security, and wellbeing is not easy. Indeed, people often sacrifice their own personal health to live within a budget and/or sacrifice their financial wellbeing in order to manage their health.
[[Learn more about food insecurity|FiveSaad]]The Ryerson University Centre for Studies in Food Security examine Five A’s of food security:
Availability: Sufficient food for all people at all times.
Accessibility: Physical & economic access to food.
Adequacy: Nutritious, safe, and sustainable food.
Acceptability: Culturally & socially acceptable food.
Agency: Food security policies & processes.
The Government of Canada’s Household Food Security Survey Module (HFSSM) is a tool that measures the extent to which members of a given household experience “uncertain, insufficient or inadequate food access, availability and utilization due to limited financial resources”. Moderate food insecurity is characterized by a compromise in the quantity and quality of food. Severe food insecurity is indicated by reduced and disrupted food intake.
The fictional characters in this game represent just a few of the unique stories of food insecurity from the more than four million Canadians who experience food insecurity each year. In Ontario alone, more than half a million households (> 500,000) face food insecurity. Indeed, because of its large population, Ontario is the province in Canada with the highest number of households living with food insecurity (http://proof.utoronto.ca/).
[[Learn more about Saad’s unique risk factors|SaadUnique]]Saad faces unique risk factors as a consequence of:
•Being a refugee and new arrival to Canada.
•Living on a fixed income.
•Being the parent of small children.
New arrivals to Canada, especially those with language barriers, may face difficulties reading food labels and making food choices. New arrivals may also struggle to find culturally or ethnically appropriate foods. Language barriers can intensify these experiences. Cultural barriers and other vulnerabilities can also put new arrivals at risk of exploitation and discrimination, experiences that can intensify poverty and food insecurity (Huang, 2014).
As Government Assisted Refugees (GARs), Saad and his family are reliant on a fixed government income. Reliance on social assistance can be a key risk factor for food insecurity, as current levels of government assistance often fail to cover the full cost of housing, transportation, nutritious foods, and other expenses in Canada (Dietitians of Canada, 2016).
Parents of small children are also at high risk for food insecurity, as parents will often sacrifice their own food security in order to ensure that their children have enough to eat (Dietitians of Canada, 2016). Pregnant and nursing women may also struggle to meet their extra nutritional needs when living in poverty.
[[Play Again|Character]]
[[End Game|EndCredits]]You look online and find an ad for an affordable studio apartment. The rent is $400. It is downtown and close to campus.
The landlord requires a $400 deposit to hold the apartment.
[[Pay the deposit.|MaxTransfer]]
[[Look into living in the campus dorm.|MaxDorm]]
[[Visit the city to find a place to live.|MaxVisit]]Your university sends you a pamphlet advertising their residence halls. They look really nice!
You can choose from:
[[Single room for $1,000 per month.|MaxMealPlan]]
[[Double room for $600 per month.|MaxMealPlan]]
[[Triple room for $500 per month.|MaxMealPlan]]Travelling to the city in advance of your move will be too expensive for you.
You make a plan to move to the city and look for apartments once you have arrived.
You pay a $100 deposit to reserve a room in a youth hostel while you look for apartments. (set: $money to $money - 100)
Now you must find a way to get to the city.
[[Buy an airplane ticket: $300, 2 hours.|MaxAirplaneVisit]]
[[Go by bus: $75, 12 hours.|MaxBusVisit]]
[[Rent a car: $100, 8 hours.|MaxCarRentalVisit]]You sign a one year lease and transfer the $400 to reserve the apartment. (set: $money to $money - 400)
Now you must find a way to move to the city.
[[Buy an airplane ticket: $300, 2 hours.|MaxAirplaneGross]]
[[Go by bus: $75, 12 hours.|MaxBusGross]]
[[Rent a car: $100, 8 hours.|MaxCarRentalGross]](set: $money to $money - 300)It is your first time travelling by airplane. You are nervous, but excited.
The flight goes well and you arrive in the city a few hours later. (set: $well to $well + 10)
[[Move in to your apartment.|MaxDirtyApartment]](set: $money to $money - 75)
Taking a bus is the cheapest option, but the 12 hour ride is boring and exhausting! (set: $well to $well - 10)
[[Move in to your apartment.|MaxDirtyApartment]]You must be 25 years of of age to rent a car. Try again. (set: $well to $well - 10)
[[Buy an airplane ticket: $300, 2 hours.|MaxAirplaneGross]]
[[Go by bus: $75, 12 hours.|MaxBusGross]]The apartment looks nothing like the online pictures!
The apartment is filthy. The paint is peeling and there is mold growing on the ceiling and floor. (set: $well to $well - 20)
You cannot live here! You call the landlord to demand a refund.
He lets you out of the year lease, but refuses to refund your deposit. You have permanently lost $400! (set: $well to $well - 10)
You end up paying $100 to reserve a bed at a youth hostel until you can find a place to live. (set: $money to $money - 100)
[[Check in to the youth hostel.|MaxFindApartment]]Staying at the youth hostel is fun. While there you meet Lydia, another university student. You decide to be roommates.
Where do you and Lydia want to live?
[[Studio apartment close to campus: $900/month.|MaxStudioApartment]]
[[One bedroom apartment close to campus: $1300/month|MaxCloseApartment]]
[[One bedroom apartment far from campus: $1000/month.|MaxFarApartment]]You also have to choose a mandatory meal plan.
[[Seven meals per week: $270/month.|MaxFull]]
[[Fourteen meals per week: $350/month.|MaxFull]]
[[Twenty-one meals per week: $400/month.|MaxFull]]You send in your residence hall paperwork with a $50 non-refundable application fee. (set: $money to $money - 50)
After all that work, you receive a notice that the campus residence halls are already full. (set: $well to $well - 10) Try again.
[[Look at online ads for an apartment.|MaxOnline]]
[[Visit the city to find a place.|MaxVisit]](set: $money to $money - 300)
It is your first time travelling by airplane. You are nervous, but excited.
The flight goes well and you arrive in the city a few hours later. (set: $well to $well + 10)
[[Check in to the youth hostel.|MaxFindApartment]](set: $money to $money - 75)
Taking a bus is the cheapest option, but riding on a bus for 12 hours is exhausting! (set: $well to $well - 10)
[[Check in to the youth hostel.|MaxFindApartment]]You must be 25 years of of age to rent a car. Try again. (set: $well to $well - 10)
[[Buy an airplane ticket: $300, 2 hours.|MaxAirplaneVisit]]
[[Go by bus: $75, 12 hours.|MaxBusVisit]]The apartment is great. It is a little small for the two of you, but it is very close to campus and the price is right.
The landlord asks you to fill out an application.
Since neither of you currently have jobs or a source of income, the landlord declines your application. Try again. (set: $well to $well - 10)
[[One bedroom apartment close to campus: $1300/month|MaxCloseApartment]]
[[One bedroom apartment far from campus: $1000/month.|MaxFarApartment]]It will be really nice to live so close to campus. (set: $well to $well + 10)
Your share of the rent will be $650 per month. To secure the apartment, you have to pay the first and last month’s rent. (set: $money to $money - 1300)
For $200 each, you and Lydia are able to find used furniture, pots, pans, and dishes for the apartment. (set: $money to $money - 200)
Each month, your share of the utilities will be around $100 per month. (set: $money to $money - 100)
The kitchen is small and there is not a lot of fridge space so you will be limited in your amount of food storage. (set: $food to $food + 1)
You are excited to get settled in your new apartment! (set: $well to $well + 10)
[[Get food|MaxBlock2]]Your share of the rent will be $500 per month. To secure the apartment, you have to pay the first and last month’s rent. (set: $money to $money - 1000)
Each month, your share of the utilities will be around $100 per month. (set: $money to $money - 100)
For $200 each, you and Lydia are able to find used furniture, pots, pans, and dishes for the apartment. (set: $money to $money - 200)
Because you are so far from campus, you will need to pay $150 each month for a transit pass. (set: $money to $money - 150)
The apartment is near a convenience store, but the nearest grocery store is far away. Getting groceries may be challenging. (set: $food to $food + 2)
[[Get food|MaxBlock2]]You currently have:
$(Print: $money) money
(Print: $well) wellbeing points
(Print: $food) food insecurity points
You have an apartment. Now you need to eat. What do you want to do?
[[Eat on campus|MaxEatOnCampus]]
[[Get take-out food near your apartment|MaxTakeOutFood]]
[[Buy groceries to make meals.|MaxBuyGroceries]]To eat on campus you need to pre-fill your University “OneCard”. How much can you afford to put on the card?
[[$150|MaxOneCard150]]
[[$100|MaxOneCard100]]
[[$50|MaxOneCard50]]There are many take-out food choices near your apartment. How do you decide?
[[Focus on healthy foods|MaxDeliFoods]]
[[Try different ethnic foods|MaxEthnicFoods]]
[[Eat the cheapest food available|MaxFastFoodCheap]]You do not have a lot of experience cooking. (set: $food to $food + 1) How will you decide what to buy and make?
[[Look for recipes online|MaxOnlineRecipes]]
[[Go to the store. Buy what looks tasty.|MaxImprovise]]
[[Call your parents|MaxCallParents]](set: $money to $money - 150)
Eating on campus is convenient, but expensive. It seems like the healthier the meal, the more expensive it is!
Fortunately, you put plenty of money on your OneCard, so you are able to eat healthy your first week on campus. (set: $well to $well + 10)
[[Go to Orientation Week Activities|MaxBlock3]](set: $money to $money - 100)
To make $100 last for the week, you must focus on relatively cheap meals ($5-$10/meal).
Unfortunately, it seems like the cheaper the meal, the more unhealthy it is! You end up eating a lot of greasy junk food. (set: $well to $well - 10)
These foods are poor in nutrition, which increases your risk of food insecurity. (set: $food to $food + 2)
[[Go to Orientation Week Activities|MaxBlock3]](set: $money to $money - 50)
Meals on campus cost $7 to $15 each. With only $50 on your OneCard, you have less than $4 to spend per meal. (set: $well to $well - 15)
It is not enough to buy sufficient food. You feel hungry all week. Your risk of food insecurity is high. (set: $food to $food + 3)
[[Go to Orientation Week Activities|MaxBlock3]]You currently have:
$(Print: $money) money
(Print: $well) wellbeing points
(Print: $food) food insecurity points
Welcome to Orientation week. At O-week you can gather information that will help you make the most of your time at university.
[[Join a club.|MaxClub]]
[[Go to a financial information session.|MaxFinance]]
[[Learn about student services.|MaxServices]]It seems like the healthier the meal, the more expensive it is! It costs you $200 just to feed yourself for one week! (set: $money to $money - 200)
On the plus side, the foods are healthy and you feel full of energy as you start your first week of classes. (set: $well to $well + 10)
[[Go to Orientation Week Activities|MaxBlock3]]You are excited to try foods that were not available to you in the small town for which you grew up. (set: $well to $well + 10)
As a bonus, most of the foods are reasonably priced ($5-$10 per meal)! For a week, you are able to feed yourself for $100. (set: $money to $money - 100)
On Saturday, you try Thai food. Almost immediately, your throat closes up. You are having an allergic reaction.
The food must have nuts in it! (set: $well to $well - 10) You use your last EpiPen. It will cost you $120 to buy a new one. (set: $money to $money - 120)
Your nut allergy is going to make it even harder for you to find appropriate food. This increases your risk for food insecurity. (set: $food to $food + 1)
[[Go to Orientation Week Activities|MaxBlock3]]The cheapest way to get food quickly is fast food. By picking the cheapest menu options you eat for a week for only $50. (set: $money to $money - 50)
Unfortunately, these foods are low in nutrients. This puts you at risk for food insecurity. (set: $food to $food + 2)
Without the proper nutrients you feel sluggish and tired as you start your first week of classes. (set: $well to $well - 10)
[[Go to Orientation Week Activities|MaxBlock3]]You have fun finding recipes online. You make a list of ingredients as you go along: flour, spices, olive oil, etc.
You realize that to even get started cooking these recipes, you are going to have to buy a lot of base ingredients!
[[Buy the ingredients.|MaxBuyIngredients]]
[[Find simpler recipes.|MaxSimplerRecipes]]
[[Buy take-out food instead|MaxTakeOutFood]]You take public transit and wander around the grocery store. You have come to the store hungry. You find yourself gravitating towards junk food.
You spend $30 on comfort foods (set: $money to $money - 30), but none of these foods really count as a meal. (set: $well to $well - 10) Try again.
[[Download recipes.|MaxOnlineRecipes]]
[[Plan some simple meals.|MaxSimplerRecipes]]
[[Buy take-out food instead.|MaxTakeOutFood]]You have a painful relationship with your parents. You came out as a lesbian a few years ago and they strongly disapproved.
Their disapproval has been hurtful. It has been one of the reasons why you moved so far away to go to university. (set: $well to $well - 10)
[[Call them anyway|MaxCallParentsAnyway]]
[[Figure it out on your own|MaxOnlineRecipes]]It costs $150 to buy all of the base ingredients. (set: $money to $money - 150)
Plus, you need to pay for a cab/car service to get the groceries home. (set: $money to $money - 20)
Your cooking adventure has mixed results. Some of the meals taste great. Others are a disaster. Mostly, though, it is fun. (set: $well to $well + 10)
Still, as your school work gets busier and busier, making elaborate meals might be too time consuming. (set: $well to $well - 5)
[[Go to Orientation Week Activities|MaxBlock3]]You create a grocery list with ingredients to make a few simple meals, such as dried spaghetti with canned pasta sauce.
How much can you afford to spend for one week’s worth of groceries?
[[$60|MaxGroceryOne60]]
[[$40|MaxGroceryOne40]]
[[$20|MaxGroceryOne20]]For $60 you are able to buy plenty of healthy, easy-to-make groceries to last you a week. (set: $money to $money - 60)
Because you are eating healthy, you feel full of energy as you start your first week at university. (set: $well to $well + 10)
[[Go to Orientation Week Activities|MaxBlock3]]To stick to your $40 budget, you are forced to buy fewer fresh fruits and vegetables and more processed foods. (set: $money to $money - 40)
These processed foods are low in nutrients. This puts you at higher risk for food insecurity. (set: $food to $food + 2)
[[Go to Orientation Week Activities|MaxBlock3]]For $20, you are forced to buy cheap processed foods. (set: $money to $money - 20)
Even then, the groceries are not enough to feed you for a week. This puts you at high risk for food insecurity. (set: $food to $food + 3)
Because you are not getting proper nutrients, you feel sluggish and tired as you start your first week at university. (set: $well to $well - 10)
[[Go to Orientation Week Activities|MaxBlock3]]You have an awkward conversation with your parents. They answer your questions, but they avoid asking you personal questions. (set: $well to $well - 5)
They encourage you to try making a few simple meals first. Start small and then build up to more elaborate meals.
[[Go the grocery store to buy ingredients|MaxSimplerRecipes]]
[[Order take out instead|MaxTakeOutFood]]You would love to start meeting like-minded people. As you wander through the club booths, you stumble upon the robotics club.
The club members that you speak to are really warm and inviting. (set: $well to $well + 10)
[[Go to the financial information session.|MaxFinance]]
[[Learn about student services.|MaxServices]]
[[Hang out with your new friends.|MaxBlock4]]You attend the finance session. You learn about the dangers of credit card debt and are strongly encourage to avoid debt spending.
You also learn that you are eligible for a $500 grant to buy your textbooks! (set: $money to $money + 500)
You continue meeting new people as you mingle at the different information booths. (set: $well to $well + 10)
[[Join a club.|MaxClub]]
[[Learn about student services.|MaxServices]]
[[Hang out with your new friends.|MaxBlock4]]You notice a group of students selling soup for “whatever you can pay”.
You spend $2 to buy a soup. (set: $money to $money - 2)
Emma, the person serving the soup, tells you that she volunteers with the student food bank.
She encourages you to stop by the student food bank anytime. A lot of students do!
You have fun meeting people while you eat your soup.
[[Join a club.|MaxClub]]
[[Go to the financial information session.|MaxFinance]]
[[Hang out with your new friends.|MaxBlock4]]You currently have:
$(Print: $money) money
(Print: $well) wellbeing points
(Print: $food) food insecurity points
You meet up with some of your new friends from orientation. They ask what you want to do.
[[Go to a house party.|MaxHouseParty]]
[[Go out clubbing.|MaxClubbing]]
[[Tour the city.|MaxCityTour]]You are offered a drink as soon as you walk into the party. You have never drank alcohol before.
[[Take the drink.|MaxDrink]]
[[Don’t take the drink.|MaxNoDrink]]
[[Leave the party.|MaxLeaveEarly]]You have never been to a club before, but your new friends tell you that there will be a dress-code.
You don’t have anything appropriate to wear! Your friends invite you to go shopping with them.
You find a great outfit that would be fun to wear to the club. It costs $50.
[[Buy the outfit.|MaxBuyIt]]
[[Do not buy the outfit.|MaxNoBuy]]
[[Buy just the shirt.|MaxBuyPart]]You explore the city with your new friends. As part of the tour they want to go to a trendy restaurant for dinner.
[[Join your friends for a nice dinner.|MaxJoinNice]]
[[Suggest a less expensive place.|MaxLessExpensive]]
[[Politely decline and go home.|MaxPolitelyDecline]]One drink leads to two drinks. Before you know it, you are feeling very drunk.
Two hours into the party, you start vomiting. You are too drunk to navigate public transit, so you have to take a cab. (set: $money to $money - 20)
You wake up the next day very hungover. (set: $well to $well - 10)
[[Buy your books.|MaxBlock5]]You decline the alcohol and grab a soda instead.
You spend most of the night flirting with a girl in third year engineering who has been on the robotics team for 3 years.
You are glad you stayed at the party! (set: $well to $well + 10)
[[Buy your books.|MaxBlock5]]You feel overwhelmed by the party and decide to go home early. You miss out on the opportunity to make new friends. (set: $well to $well - 5)
[[Buy your books.|MaxBlock5]]You currently have:
$(Print: $money) money
(Print: $well) wellbeing points
(Print: $food) food insecurity points
The first few weeks in your new city have been fun, but it is time to get serious about school.
First up: figuring out your finances so you can buy your books.
You have budgeted $980 per month for living expenses.
Your balance from last month is: $[$money].
(set: $money to $money + 980) With the most recent $980 figured in, you have: $[$money] to pay this month’s bills.
Rent, utilities, and transportation will cost you $750. (set: $money to $money - 750)
You have just $[$money] to buy your books and afford food this month.
[[Buy new books.|MaxBuyNewBooks]]
[[Buy used books.|MaxBuyUsedBooks]]
[[Do not buy textbooks.|MaxBuyNoBooks]]You look great and feel confident in your new outfit! (set: $money to $money - 50) (set: $well to $well + 10)
[[Time to go clubbing.|MaxGoToClub]]You cannot afford clothes right now. You are disappointed; the outfit looked great! (set: $well to $well - 5)
[[Time to go clubbing.|MaxGoToClub]]You compromise and buy just the shirt for $25. (set: $money to $money - 25) You still look great! (set: $well to $well + 5)
[[Time to go clubbing.|MaxGoToClub]]You get to the club with your new friends and realize there is a $50 cover charge!
[[Pay the cover charge.|MaxCoverCharge]]
[[Go home.|Maxhome]]You pay $50 to get into the club. (set: $money to $money - 50) You have a great time dancing with your new friends. (set: $well to $well + 10)
[[Buy your books.|MaxBlock5]]A $50 cover charge is too much. You fake feeling sick and go home. (set: $well to $well - 10)
When you get home you discover that your roommate has eaten your leftovers. (set: $food to $food + 1)
You go to bed hungry, disappointed, and lonely. (set: $well to $well - 10)
[[Buy your books.|MaxBlock5]]To get a table, the restaurant requires that everyone in your party order a minimum of $35 in food and drink.
Your friends are all ordering the $60 tasting menu. What do you order?
[[The tasting menu: $60|MaxTastingMenu]]
[[The cheapest thing on the menu: the pesto pasta|MaxPestoPasta]]
[[Fake sick and go home|MaxPolitelyDecline]]You suggest a cheaper restaurant near your apartment. The rest of your friends still want to go to the expensive restaurant.
[[Join your friends for a nice dinner.|MaxJoinNice]]
[[Politely decline and go home.|MaxPolitelyDecline]]You do not want to ruin your friends’ fun, but you simply cannot afford the expensive restaurant.
You head home, instead.
When you get home you discover that your roommate has eaten your leftovers. (set: $food to $food + 1)
You go to bed hungry, disappointed, and lonely. (set: $well to $well - 10)
[[Buy your books.|MaxBlock5]]The tasting menu is so much fun! You try so many new foods and have a great time with your friends. (set: $well to $well + 10)
Still, after tax and tip your part of the bill comes to $75! (set: $money to $money - 75)
[[Buy your books.|MaxBlock5]]The pesto pasta tastes delicious...until your throat starts swelling up. You are having an allergic reaction! (set: $well to $well - 10)
The pesto must have nuts in it! You use your EpiPen. It will cost you $120 to buy a replacement. (set: $money to $money - 120)
You excuse yourself and go home. Later, you find out that your friend had to pay your part of the restaurant bill. (set: $well to $well - 10)
You pay her back (set: $money to $money - 120), but you feel really embarrassed. (set: $well to $well - 10 )
Your nut allergy is going to make it very difficult to find appropriate food. This increases your risk for food insecurity. (set: $food to $food + 1)
[[Buy your books.|MaxBlock5]]Each new textbook costs $75 to $250. Altogether, your books cost you $700! (set: $money to $money - 700)
On the plus side, the advantage of buying new is you have your books right away. (set: $well to $well + 15)
[[Buy food.|MaxBlock6]]You are able to buy used textbooks for $300, but there is a three week backlog for a few of your textbooks. (set: $money to $money - 300)
Without a textbook to study in those first few weeks, you do poorly on your first few tests. (set: $well to $well - 20)
[[Buy food.|MaxBlock6]]Instead of buying books, you decide to rely on free textbooks and information off the internet.
This strategy saves you money, but it also means you do poorly on your first few tests. (set: $well to $well - 10)
To make things worse, you are accused of plagiarism when you use a source you found on the internet to write a paper. (set: $well to $well - 20)
In the end, you decide it might be worth it to buy a few textbooks, after all. (set: $money to $money - 200)
[[Buy food.|MaxBlock6]]You currently have:
$(Print: $money) money
(Print: $well) wellbeing points
(Print: $food) food insecurity points
As your course work gets more intense you need a strategy for feeding yourself over the next few weeks.
[[Focus on convenience.|MaxFoodConvenience]]
[[Focus on health.|MaxFoodHealth]]
[[Focus on low cost.|MaxFoodLowCost]]The fastest and easiest way to get food is to eat take-out. How much do you want to spend on food this month?
[[$400|MaxConvenience400]]
[[$300|MaxConvenience300]]
[[$200.|MaxConvenience200]]The cheapest way to eat healthy is to buy groceries and make homemade meals.
Alternatively, you can buy these fresh foods already made. But, these pre-made healthy meals tend to be pricey.
[[Buy pre-made healthy meals|MaxConvenience400]]
[[Buy groceries and make homemade meals|MaxHomeMadeHealthy]]
[[Find the cheapest way to acquire groceries.|MaxFoodLowCost]]The healthiest way to keep costs low is to buy groceries and make homemade meals.
Sadly, though, buying fast food is often cheaper. You could also try the student food bank.
[[Buy groceries and make homemade meals.|MaxHomeMadeHealthy]]
[[Eat cheaper fast food meals.|MaxConvenience200]]
[[Go to the food bank.|MaxFoodBankOne]]For $400 you are able to buy plenty of healthy take-out options to eat over the next month. (set: $money to $money - 400)
Eating healthy keep your energy high and your mind sharp. You feel prepared to learn and study! (set: $well to $well + 15)
[[Plan your Thanksgiving break.|MaxBlock7]]To stick to your $300 per month food budget you must balance healthier take-out food with cheaper fast food options. (set: $money to $money - 300)
Unfortunately, the cheaper fast food options are low in nutrition, increasing your risk for food insecurity. (set: $food to $food + 2)
These foods also make you feel sluggish and tired, which makes it harder to study for your classes. (set: $well to $well - 10)
[[Plan your Thanksgiving break.|MaxBlock7]]To live off of $200 per month, you find yourself eating junk food from the value menu at fast food restaurants. (set: $money to $money - 200)
These foods are high in fat and low in nutrition. This greatly increases your risk for food insecurity. (set: $food to $food + 2)
Without enough nutrients, your energy is low and you cannot concentrate during class. (set: $well to $well - 15)
[[Plan your Thanksgiving break.|MaxBlock7]]You currently have:
$(Print: $money) money
(Print: $well) wellbeing points
(Print: $food) food insecurity points
Thanksgiving break is coming up. Your friends from highschool want to know if you are coming home. Round trip flights cost $600.
You have also been invited to participate in a robotics competition. This would be an amazing experience, but it costs $300.
Alternatively, this might be a good time to start a part time job. You could earn some extra money.
[[Fly home to see friends and family.|MaxGoHome]]
[[Go to the robotics competition.|MaxRobotics]]
[[Take the part time job.|MaxTakeTheJob]]Over the month, it costs you $300 to buy fresh ingredients to make homemade meals. (set: $money to $money - 300)
As the school year gets busier and busier, you worry that you may not have the time to keep making homemade meals. (set: $well to $well - 5)
On the plus side, eating healthy meals helps keep your energy up and your mind sharp. You feel prepared to learn. (set: $well to $well + 15)
[[Plan your Thanksgiving break.|MaxBlock7]]You go to the food bank on campus. You see a student from one of your classes volunteering.
You do not want your classmate to know that you are struggling financially.
[[Go in to the food bank.|MaxGoInFoodBank]]
[[Leave and go to the grocery store instead.|MaxHomeMadeHealthy]]
[[Leave and buy cheap fast food instead.|MaxConvenience200]]You walk up to your classmate and ask for help. He is very kind and helps you pick out frozen chicken, produce, canned lentils, and cereal.
You are able to come in once per week for up to 10 items. The food goes a long way, but it is not enough to keep you sufficiently fed. (set: $food to $food + 1)
[[Buy more groceries.|MaxBuyMoreGroceries]]
[[Skip meals to save costs.|MaxSkipMeals]]For $100 you are able to balance out the food bank offerings. (set: $money to $money - 100)
You hate to rely on charity, but what choice do have you have? (set: $food to $food + 1)
[[Plan your Thanksgiving break.|MaxBlock7]]By skipping meals, you are putting yourself at high risk for food insecurity. (set: $food to $food + 2)
Without enough nutrients, your energy is low and you cannot concentrate in your classes. (set: $well to $well - 15)
[[Plan your Thanksgiving break.|MaxBlock7]]You spend $600 to fly home to see your friends and family, but you are nervous to go home. (set: $money to $money - 600)
You have a painful relationship with your parents. You came out as a lesbian a few years ago and they strongly disapproved. (set: $well to $well - 10)
Their disapproval has been painful and you are not welcome to stay at their house anymore. (set: $well to $well - 10)
You stay with friends, and it is nice to see them, but being in your home town just reminds you of the painful separation from your family. (set: $well to $well - 15)
[[Rent is due.|MaxBlock8]]You spend $300 to join the robotics competition. (set: $money to $money - 300)
It is an amazing experience! (set: $well to $well + 10)
Plus, your team wins one of the competitions, resulting in you earning a $500 scholarship! (set: $money to $money + 500) (set: $well to $well + 15)
[[Rent is due.|MaxBlock8]]You pick up a part time job at a bakery. It is great to earn an extra $500. (set: $money to $money + 500)
Unfortunately, with you working so many hours, your break goes by too fast. You do not get any friend time, rest time, or study time. (set: $well to $well - 10)
[[Rent is due.|MaxBlock8]]You currently have:
$(Print: $money) money
(Print: $well) wellbeing points
(Print: $food) food insecurity points
You transfer over another $980 from your student loan. (set: $money to $money + 980)
From those funds you pay $750 for rent, utilities, and transportation costs. (set: $money to $money - 750)
Your balance is now $[$money]. You still need to buy food for the month.
[[Eat take-out|MaxTakeOutMidterms]]
[[Get groceries and make your meals|MaxGroceriesMidterms]]
[[Try to earn some money|MaxJobMidterms]]The fastest and easiest way to get food is to eat take-out. How much do you want to spend on food this month?
[[$400|MaxFinals400]]
[[$300|MaxFinals300]]
[[$200.|MaxFinals200]]What’s your grocery and meal making strategy?
[[Buy healthy foods from the grocery store.|MaxBuyHealthyFinals]]
[[Buy convenience foods from the grocery store.|MaxBuyCheapFinals]]
[[Go to the food bank.|MaxFoodBankFinals]]A bakery is hiring part time workers. How many hours per week do you want to work?
[[5 hours per week|MaxWork10]]
[[15 hours per week|MaxWork15]]
[[25 hours per week|MaxWork25]]For $400 you are able to buy plenty of healthy take-out options to eat over the next month. (set: $money to $money - 400)
Eating well helps keep your energy high and your mind sharp. (set: $well to $well + 10)
Plus, the convenience of take-out food gives you more time to study. (set: $well to $well + 10)
[[Go to the library to study.|MaxBlock9]]The convenience of take-out food gives you more time to study. (set: $well to $well + 10)
But, to stick to your $300 per month food budget you must balance healthier take-out food with cheaper fast food options. (set: $money to $money - 300)(set: $food to $food + 2)
The cheaper fast food options make you feel sluggish and tired. You find yourself fighting illness prior to final exams. (set: $well to $well - 10)
[[Go to the library to study.|MaxBlock9]]The convenience of take-out food gives you more time to study. (set: $well to $well + 10)
But, to live off of $200 per month, you find yourself eating junk food from the value menu at fast food restaurants. (set: $money to $money - 200)
Without enough nutrients, your energy is low and you cannot concentrate during class. (set: $well to $well - 20)(set: $food to $food + 2)
[[Go to the library to study.|MaxBlock9]]You currently have:
$(Print: $money) money
(Print: $well) wellbeing points
(Print: $food) food insecurity points
You meet a girl at the library. Her name is Jenna. There seems to be some sparks between the two of you. (set: $well to $well + 5)
You suggest to her that the two of you should hang out together. She suggests a dinner date at a nice restaurant.
You want to say yes, but you are worried about the cost of a dinner date.
[[Say yes, anyway. Worry about they money later.|MaxSayYes]]
[[Suggest a cheaper plan for the date.|MaxSuggestCheaper]]
[[Share your concerns about money with her.|MaxShareConcerns]]You stock up on $300 worth of fresh fruits, vegetables, and proteins for the month. (set: $money to $money - 300)
Unfortunately, you spend most of your time on campus and rarely have time to cook. (set: $well to $well - 5)
A lot of the food goes bad and has to be thrown away. (set: $food to $food + 1)
In the meantime, you spend over $150 on fast food meals and take-out food, on top of what you spent on groceries. (set: $money to $money - 150)
[[Go to the library to study.|MaxBlock9]]To save money and time, you buy $200 of frozen foods, boxed pasta meals, and salty noodle packs. (set: $money to $money - 200)
These foods are low in nutrition, which increases your risk of food insecurity. (set: $food to $food + 1)
You feel sluggish and tired going into finals. (set: $well to $well - 10)
[[Go to the library to study.|MaxBlock9]]You are low in money, so you head to the student food bank for help.
The food bank is nearly empty. Donations are down and demand as up, as students struggle with low funds. (set: $food to $food + 1) (set: $well to $well - 10)
You will need to get food by some other means this month.
[[Buy healthy foods from the grocery store.|MaxBuyHealthyFinals]]
[[Buy convenience foods from the grocery store.|MaxBuyCheapFinals]]
[[Try to earn some money|MaxJobMidterms]]You make an extra $150 and still have time to study. (set: $money to $money + 150) (set: $well to $well + 10).
Now you just need to buy some food.
[[Eat take-out|MaxTakeOutMidterms]]
[[Get groceries and make your meals|MaxGroceriesMidterms]]
[[Go to the food bank.|MaxFoodBankFinals]]You make an extra $700, but you have almost no time to do your school work. (set: $money to $money + 700) (set: $well to $well - 40).
[[Eat take-out|MaxTakeOutMidterms]]
[[Get groceries and make your meals|MaxGroceriesMidterms]]
[[Go to the food bank.|MaxFoodBankFinals]]You make an extra $400, but your work hours cut into your study time. (set: $money to $money + 400) (set: $well to $well - 20).
[[Eat take-out|MaxTakeOutMidterms]]
[[Get groceries and make your meals|MaxGroceriesMidterms]]
[[Go to the food bank.|MaxFoodBankFinals]]You and Jenna go to the restaurant near campus. You are uncertain if you are expected to pay for dinner since you initiated the date.
What do you do?
[[Order the cheapest item. Hope she does the same.|MaxOrderSideSalad]]
[[Order what you want. Worry about the money later.|MaxOrderPasta]]
[[Share your concerns about money with her.|MaxShareConcerns]]As an alternative to the dinner date, you suggest a picnic at a park overlooking the city. Jenna likes the idea.
For $20 you are able to pack a really nice picnic for the two of you. (set: $money to $money - 20) The date is romantic (and economical)! (set: $well to $well + 10)
[[Finish up your exams|MaxDebrief]]You confess to Jenna that you are on a tight budget so you do not have a lot of money to go out.
She offers to pay for both of your dinners. (set: $well to $well + 5)
You have a great time at dinner, so she asks you out again. (set: $well to $well + 5)
You hang out several more times and each time she pays.
One time you suggest going to a museum instead of out to eat.
She responds, “Well since I’m the one always having to pay, shouldn’t I get to decide where we go?”
You are torn. On one hand she is right: She is the one paying. On the other hand, shouldn’t you get a say in the relationship, as well?
[[Break up with Jenna.|MaxBreakUp]]
[[Keep going out with Jenna.|MaxKeepSeeing]]You order the cheapest thing on the menu: a side salad. Jenna orders a seafood dish.
You try to relax during the date, but you are too worried about money. (set: $well to $well - 10)
Finally, the bill comes. To your relief, Jenna asks the waiter, “Can we get this divided into two bills?”(set: $well to $well - 10)
You suggest hanging out again sometime, but Jenna never calls. You are not surprised. The date was pretty awkward. (set: $well to $well - 10)
[[Finish up your exams|MaxDebrief]]You order the pasta special. Jenna does the same. You are concerned about money, but you try not to worry too much. (set: $well to $well - 5)
You have a great time, but when the bill comes there is an awkward silence. (set: $well to $well - 5)
You break the silence by offering to pay the bill. With tax and tip it is $60! (set: $money to $money - 60)
At the end of the date, Jenna asks you out again, and offers to pay this time. (set: $well to $well + 10)
After that, you suggest to Jenna that it may be better to do low-cost dates. She agrees. You continue to hang out and have fun. (set: $well to $well + 10)
[[Finish up your exams|MaxDebrief]]You managed to help your character survive the first few months as a new university student. You finished the term with a (Print: $well)% average, $(Print: $money) money, and (Print: $food) food insecurity points.
Your quest was to help Max avoid food insecurity as she financially supports herself and embarks on her first year at University.
Food security can be defined as “the condition in which all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life.” (Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations).
Striking the balance between financial security, food security, and wellbeing is not easy. Indeed, people often sacrifice their own personal health to live within a budget and/or sacrifice their financial wellbeing in order to manage their health.
[[Learn more about food insecurity|FiveMax]] Even though breaking up is the right thing to do, it still makes you sad. You find it hard to concentrate on your studies. (set: $well to $well - 15)
[[Finish up your exams|MaxDebrief]]You know that you should break up with Jenna, but your dates are often the only time during the week that you get a nice meal. (set: $food to $food + 2)
It is not ideal to stay in a relationship with someone just to be able to eat, but that is the reality of your situation right now. (set: $well to $well - 10)
[[Finish up your exams|MaxDebrief]]The Ryerson University Centre for Studies in Food Security examine Five A’s of food security:
Availability: Sufficient food for all people at all times.
Accessibility: Physical & economic access to food.
Adequacy: Nutritious, safe, and sustainable food.
Acceptability: Culturally & socially acceptable food.
Agency: Food security policies & processes.
The Government of Canada’s Household Food Security Survey Module (HFSSM) is a tool that measures the extent to which members of a given household experience “uncertain, insufficient or inadequate food access, availability and utilization due to limited financial resources”. Moderate food insecurity is characterized by a compromise in the quantity and quality of food. Severe food insecurity is indicated by reduced and disrupted food intake.
The fictional characters in this game represent just a few of the unique stories of food insecurity from the more than four million Canadians who experience food insecurity each year. In Ontario alone, more than half a million households (> 500,000) face food insecurity. Indeed, because of its large population, Ontario is the province in Canada with the highest number of households living with food insecurity (http://proof.utoronto.ca/).
[[Learn more about Max’s unique risk factors|MaxUnique]]Max faces unique risk factors as a consequence of:
•Being a student.
•The high cost of education.
•Estrangement from her parents.
Students are at growing risk for food insecurity due to rising education costs. Students are particularly at high risk for food insecurity if they must rely on low-cost foods, if they struggle to eat balanced meals, or if they worry about running out of food before securing more money (Silverthorn, 2016). These risks are particularly high for racialized students, students living off campus, students who cannot rely on their parents for income support, students who are dependent on financial aid, and single parents living with their children (Silverthorn, 2016).
Tuition costs continue to rise across Canada, including in Ontario. Financial aid programs are meant to supplement family financial support. For students like Max who cannot rely on their parents for help, financial aid is usually insufficient to pay for the cost of tuition, fees, rising textbook costs, high housing prices, and rising food costs. Students who receive income help from their parents or can live rent-free with a relative are the least likely to experience food insecurity (Silverthorn, 2016).
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans*, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth are at high risk for experiencing poverty, food insecurity, and housing uncertainty due to discrimination and social rejection (Brown, Romero, and Gates). Like Max, the fictional character portrayed here, LGBTQ youth who are rejected by their parents are more likely to live on their own, without financial support from their parents, and with limited family support. These students may also experience work and school discrimination, which can intensify experiences of food insecurity.
[[Play Again|Character]]
[[End Game|EndCredits]]
↶↷Skip the introduction
Welcome to the Food Security Quest!
Each year more than 500,000 households in Ontario, Canada experience food insecurity.
Food insecurity occurs when one lacks physical and economic access to sufficient, safe, nutritious, and culturally acceptable food.
Each time your character must compromise on the quantity and/or quality of food, your food insecurity score will go up!
Food costs money, so does housing, utilities, transportation, and other expenses. Lack of income, and the debt that comes with it, are the strongest predictors of food insecurity in Canada. As you spend and gain money, the amount of money available to your character will decrease or increase.
Trying to stay food secure can be stressful. It can also take time and energy away from personal goals and family. Lack of nutrition can also hurt physical and mental health.
As you gain (or lose) social connections and meet (or fail to meet) personal goals your holistic wellbeing score will go up and down.
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