Community donations refill the bare shelves at the Exeter FoodbankCommunity donations refill the bare shelves at the Exeter Foodbank
Midwestern

New Report Shows Less Food Security In Grey Bruce

The new food bank report found food bank visits have jumped 92% between 2013 and 2015 in Grey and Bruce Counties.

The report from the United Way and the Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force estimates that 16% of the population uses food bank services locally.

The number of visits has gone from 13,500 in 2013 to over 26,000 in 2015. But the United Way says with only 14 out of 21 food banks reporting visits, the actual number is significantly higher.

The "2015 Hunger Report : WTF – Where’s The Food," found less than half of local food banks are able to provide fresh healthy food.

The organization says the region continues to suffer the effects of precarious employment.

The Ontario Food Banks Association says one in three jobs is temporary, contract or part-time.

With average rent in the region near $850 a family needs to earn $16.46 an hour over a 40-hour work week, to make ends meet, and afford healthy food.

Minimum wage is $11.25 an hour.

United Way Spokesperson Francesca Dobbyn says eating processed packaged food over a long period of time can lead to health issues, which cost everyone.

 

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