Food & NutritionFood Insecurity
What is Food Insecurity?
Food insecurity means not having enough food or not being sure you can get food. This happens when people don't have enough money. It can lead to picking cheaper, less nutritious food. Some people even skip meals or go days without eating. Emergency food programs help for a short time, but they don’t fix food insecurity since it’s really about money.
Food Insecurity is a Public Health Issue
When people in our community can't afford nutritious food, it harms their health. Food insecurity can lead to diseases like diabetes and heart disease. It can also cause mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression.
In Chatham-Kent, at least 1 in 5 Households are Food Insecure.
The Cost of Eating in Chatham-Kent
The Nutritious Food Basket (NFB) is used to show the cost of food for people and families in Canada. Ontario has its own NFB survey to collect local food cost data.
CK Public Health uses the Ontario NFB to show the cost of food in Chatham-Kent (CK). CK Public Health then compares food costs to rent and income people have. Results show that some people in CK don't make enough money to afford food and housing. Many families don't have enough money for other needs. You can learn more in the 2024 Cost of Eating in CK Infographic.
Note: NFB data was collected in May-June 2024, so it does not show food price increases since then.
What can WE do?
We need to find ways to help people have enough money to live comfortably. Here are some ideas we can support:
- Giving people a basic income to help cover their needs.
- Raising social assistance payments (like Ontario Works and the Ontario Disability Support Program) so they match the cost of living.
- Increasing minimum wage so that it matches the amount people actually need to afford daily life (living wage). (The living wage for the Southwest region is $19.85/hr).
- Lowering taxes for people who don’t make a lot of money.
- Making housing, transportation, and childcare more affordable.
What can YOU do?
- Learn more about food insecurity
- Talk with friends, family, and coworkers about the real reason behind food insecurity
- Speak up for solutions that focus on income