A Registered Dietician with Huron Perth Public Health is worried that more people are experiencing household food insecurity as food costs continue to rise.
Amy MacDonald explained a report called 'The Real Cost of Eating in Huron and Perth' found low income families are being forced to choose between paying rent and utilities or buying food.
"The cost of food combined with the cost of other essential expenses like housing makes it really hard for people to afford adequate food if they're living on a lower income," MacDonald explained.
The report found groceries for a family of four add up to about $267 a week, or $1,155 per month in the area.
"It's based on about 60 food items, 61 things and we cost those either on site in local grocery stores or online through their online purchasing system," noted MacDonald. "And then we calculate the average. This year we did eight grocery stores."
The calculations don't include non-food items such as toiletries, personal care items, or cleaning products. She said the cost of groceries is out of reach for many people.
"In our report, we look at the percentage of income required for food and for somebody living on a low income," she stated. "We're looking at upwards of 40 to 48 per cent of their income could be spent on food and that's just not sustainable. Earners of a median income in Ontario would spend about 12 per cent of their income on food."
She said rates of household food insecurity have continued to increase over time. MacDonald revealed people who worry about buying food are extremely distressed.
"All levels of food insecurity are associated with increased health risks, whether it be mental health conditions or chronic health conditions and that's because of the stress of being worried and anxious about not having enough food, as well as the quality and quantity of food may occur due to household food insecurity," she warned.
An estimated 18 per cent of households in Southwestern Ontario reported experiencing food insecurity in 2022, and MacDonald stressed food banks are not a permanent solution.
"We know that those food bank solutions are intended to be temporary, and they just can't meet people's needs, when they're experiencing chronic household food insecurity," she explained. "So we really need policy based solutions to address poverty and low income. If we're going to make a real difference."
MacDonald urged residents to talk to local, provincial and federal representatives about how they are addressing income insecurity and food insecurity.
She said solutions include adequate old-age pensions, as well as fully funded Canada Working-Age Supplement (CWAS) and Canada Disability Benefits (CDB). She added other ways to address food insecurity include increased social assistance rates, a Basic Income Guarantee, increased minimum wage, or living wage employers. She said investments in subsidized, affordable and stable housing would help, along with affordable housing, childcare and public transit.
