The Grey Bruce Health Unit calls food insecurity a serious public health issue, that requires an income response.
Public Health Dietitian Laura Needham said the root cause is poverty, and food banks do not address the problem.
She said Food insecurity is a significant health concern leading to more chronic disease like cancer, diabetes and heart disease. Health costs can be up to 121% higher in food insecure households.
She added food insecurity will increase as the basic cost of groceries is expected to jump by $400 a family in 2019.
One in five local children across Bruce and Grey live in a low-income household, and 6.5% of households sometimes or often run out of food before they can afford more.
Grey Bruce Food insecurity
Grey Bruce Cost of Eating Well December 2018
