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Food Affordability in Porcupine Health Unit Catchment Area

What is Household Food Insecurity? 

Food insecurity means a household doesn’t have enough money to buy food. It can range from worrying about running out of food, to filling up on cheaper, less nutritious foods, to skipping meals or going without eating. The root cause of food insecurity is poverty. 

Who is affected by food insecurity? 

Some households are more likely to experience food insecurity than others. Food insecurity is more common in households that:

  • Rely on social assistance i.e., Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Support Program
  • Rent rather than own their home
  • Are single mothers

Food insecurity is a serious health problem.

Living with food insecurity can lead to higher risk of many chronic health issues in adults, such as:

  • diabetes
  • heart disease
  • chronic pain
  • poor oral health
  • mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety

It’s hard to manage chronic conditions without enough money for food.

Children are also at greater risk for health problems, particularly mental health problems that can last into adulthood. 

Monitoring food insecurity in the Porcupine Health District

Every year the Porcupine Health Unit reports on food affordability. In 2023, results show that some households must make the choice between healthy eating and paying for other core living expenses. 

1 in 5 families in Porcupine Health Unit area are food insecure.

Single Parent with 2 children Ontario works monthly income $2587 Food/Rent in the PHU Area $2477 everything else $111

Family of 4 Full-time minimum wage $4,187 Food/Rent in the PHU Area $3,074 Everything Else $1,113

1 Person Ontario Disability Support Program $1,386 Food/Rent in the PHU Area $1,647 Everything Else -$261

1 Person Old Age Security Guaranteed Income Supplement $2,010 Food/Rent in the PHU Area $1,518 Everything Else $492

Solutions for food insecurity

Food banks remain the main community response to food insecurity. However, food banks and other charitable food programs (such as meal programs or community gardens) are not a solution. They fail to address the main problem of inadequate income.

The best way to end food insecurity is by addressing poverty.

Income solutions are needed so that everyone has enough money to meet their basic needs, including food.

For example:

What can you do?

Learn more about food insecurity

Speak up

Talk to your political leaders

  • Political leaders are directly involved with policies that affect social assistance, childcare, transportation, and housing. If you want a template to urge your political leaders to act on food insecurity, visit No Money for Food is Cent$Less to find advocacy support.

Vote

  • Governments make decisions that affect social assistance rates and income. Take the time to learn about each political party's platform before voting and vote for those who align best with your values.

Support local businesses

  • Source locally made products to support your local economy and strengthen your local food system.

Get involved

  • Volunteer at a local food bank, soup kitchen, community garden, local tax clinic, or with community partners. While this does not reduce food insecurity, it offers emergency support to those in need.  

If you have any questions, please call the Porcupine Health Unit at 1-800-461-1818 or send us an email at [email protected]

Hungry for Change : Monitoring Food Affordability in the Porcupine Health Unit (PHU) area 2023