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Food Insecurity in Haldimand and Norfolk Counties

 

Food insecurity occurs when a household does not have enough money to buy food. Continue reading to learn more about food insecurity in our area and why No Money for Food is … Cent$less.

Reproduced with permission from Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit

What is the problem?

  • In 2021, about 1 in 6 households in Ontario experienced food insecurity1
  • Research shows that only 1 in 4 people experiencing food insecurity access a food bank2. Charitable food organizations serve an immediate need, but we must do more to address the root cause of food insecurity, which is poverty.
  • Many household incomes are not enough to cover the cost of living.
  • In Ontario, 48% of food-insecure households received employment income1

What can be done?

Be aware

Learn more about why No Money for Food is…Cent$less

Spread the word

  • Talk about food insecurity with family and friends
  • Share credible messages about food insecurity and poverty on social media

Advocate and participate in elections

  • Advocate for income responses to household food insecurity, such as basic income and increased social assistance rates
  • Vote — your voice matters!

Nutritious Food Basket – Measuring Local Food Affordability

Every year Health Units across Ontario use the Nutritious Food Basket costing tool to determine the cost of healthy eating for their region.

In May 2022, the monthly cost to follow a healthy eating pattern for a family of four in Haldimand and Norfolk Counties was $1064.49.

Food availability in Haldimand and Norfolk 2023

Food banks and other emergency food resources

Click here for a list of emergency and low-cost food programs in Haldimand and Norfolk Counties.

References

  1. Canadian Community Health Survey 2013-2014. Statistics Canada, Share File, Knowledge Management and Reporting Branch, Ontario MOHLTC.
  2. Loopstra, R. & Tarasuk, V. (2012). The Relationship between Food Banks and Household Food Insecurity among Low-Income Toronto Families. Can Pub Policy. 38, 497-514.
  3. Tarasuk, V, Mitchell, A, Dachner, N. (2016). Household food insecurity in Canada, 2014.Toronto: Research to identify policy options to reduce food insecurity (PROOF).Retrieved from http://proof.utoronto.ca/
  4. Tarasuk, V., Cheng, J., de Oliveira, C., Dachner, N., Gundersen, C., & Kurdyak, P. (2015). Association between household food insecurity and annual health care costs. Can Med Assoc J. 187(14), E429-E436. Factsheet retrieved from http://proof.utoronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/health-impact-factsheet.pdf