Researchers and hunters have raised concerns about the challenges of transporting food between communities, citing difficulties, high costs, and unreliability, which often result in significant food spoilage. Katrin Schmid, an anthropology PhD candidate at the University of Vienna, conducted interviews with individuals from various Inuit communities to study food transportation systems.
Schmid discovered a surprising amount of food spoilage during transportation due to issues such as limited freezer space at airports, malfunctioning community freezers, and delays in cargo handling. She noted that the lack of proper refrigeration facilities and limited repair capabilities in remote communities contribute to the problem.
In her research published in the academic journal “Food, Culture & Society,” Schmid highlighted the critical intersection of transportation systems and food access in Nunavut, encompassing both imported food from the south and locally harvested country food. She emphasized that spoilage occurs throughout the year, with animals sometimes accessing stored food during summer and extreme freezing damaging food in winter.
Jimmy Akavak, chair of the Amaruq Hunters and Trappers Association in Iqaluit, emphasized the longstanding tradition of sharing country food within Inuit communities. Families often send caribou, seal, fish, and other harvested food to relatives in different communities or regions. However, the expanding sharing networks face challenges in ensuring the safe delivery of food due to reliance on air cargo and limited cargo space, especially problematic during warmer months.
Transportation challenges have become more pronounced on Baffin Island, particularly with ongoing caribou hunting restrictions since 2015. This has led to Nunavummiut ordering caribou from other regions, incurring high costs and extended delivery times. Akavak highlighted the broader discussions on food sovereignty in Nunavut, emphasizing the importance of culturally significant ingredients and traditional harvesting practices.
Schmid and Akavak both underscored the importance of supporting local hunters and exploring solutions to improve food distribution networks and reduce spoilage. Despite economic pressures, many hunters continue to prioritize sharing country food over selling, emphasizing the cultural significance and sustainability of such practices.