Food Insecurity Finds A Voice on Facebook

There was heavy discussion that social media helped spur revolutions last spring in the Middle East and North Africa. NPR's The Salt reminds us that social media knows no boundaries or borders when it comes to uniting those that need a voice. This time, the voice belongs to those who are food insecure in Iqaluit, Canada.

People have taken to joining a Facebook group to protest sky-high food prices in the Nunavut region by posting photos of outrageous prices for fresh food. The group also provides a place to trade hunting tips or refer people to food banks; it is currently 20,000 members strong, united together by the simple but grave concern of feeding their families.

It's refreshing to know that beyond using social media as a marketing tool or as a way to catch up with friends, it can be used to have a voice, making a sometimes impersonal channel an extremely personal one. 

Canada's Food Insecure Find Help, Community Through Facebook from NPR's The Salt