La lutte contre l？insecurite alimentaire au Canada: Banques alimentaires et organismes benevoles

this article focuses on the civil society role in searching alternatives for solving food security problems affecting fragments of canadian population. the author analyzes initiatives of volunteer groups acting in the field of food aid. civil organizations working at the national, provincial and local levels were considered in this research, particularly the canadian association of food banks (cafb), as well as regional food banks of quebec and montreal and local community groups. the study is based on field research, including visits and interviews in regional and local organizations devoted to food aid, plus bibliographical review in public and private organizations and on-line documentation. main results reveal the undeniable importance of the joint participation of enterprises, civil organizations, and volunteer groups in facing food security problems. according to cafb, food banks distribute about 150 millions of pounds of food per year. in 2007, 8.5 millions of pounds of food were distributed by cafb, and moreover substantial quantities collected by regional food banks and community groups at the local level. foods distributed came from strategic associations between cafb and food banks and food industries, food enterprises, no-food enterprises, and agro-food trading chains (macro markets, supermarkets, small food shops), as well as donations by the population at large.