The basic cost of food for a family of four in Grey Bruce adds up to just over $869 per month.
Grey Bruce Public Health has released the annual Nutritious Food Basket report which shows low income households do not have enough money to cover basic costs of living like heat or transportation.
After paying food and rent in Grey Bruce, a family on Ontario Works would have $452 left over for all other costs.
A single person on Ontario Works would be $97 in the hole.
That situation of ongoing poverty is the root cause of household food insecurity.
Food banks and free meals are not effective long term solutions.
And a lack of nutritious food leads to higher rates of diabetes, high blood pressure and mental health problems.
With 1.6-million, or one in eight Ontarians facing food insecurity, the problem amounts to a serious public health problem.
The report suggests a basic Income Guarantee is a workable solution.
The province is conducting a pilot of the income guarantee.
