Household Food Insecurity in Simcoe County

Community Leaders for a Sustainable Simcoe

a chronic state of financial crisis

Household Food Insecurity.

When someone is experiencing food insecurity they are likely struggling with other basic needs as well.

Why This Matters.

Household food insecurity occurs when an individual or family lacks the financial resources to purchase food. Household food insecurity can happen to any individual or family experiencing a financial crisis, putting them at a higher risk of household food insecurity.

For example, individuals and families living on low incomes are in a chronic state of financial crisis and many struggle to pay the rent and bills AND buy food.

Also, a financial crisis can happen to working individuals and families with unforeseen events such as a sudden job loss, which impacted many during the pandemic. Food is sacrificed to pay for other costs of living.

As a result, when someone is experiencing food insecurity they are likely struggling with other basic needs as well.

For example, food insecure households are often struggling with inadequate or insecure housing, lack of money for necessities such as prescription medications, dental care, telephone, transportation, clothing, and struggling with depression, anxiety, and social isolation.

When a family or individual struggles to put food on the table it is a sign of over-all deprivation due to inadequate or unstable incomes. Many people associate food insecurity with those that are without jobs, but over 60% of households that struggle with food security have employment income, just not enough to ensure all basic needs are met.

There are charitable organizations, such as food banks and soup kitchens, that provide temporary relief for people who cannot afford to buy what they need. But, despite enormous efforts, charity struggles to keep up with demand that is becoming even worse with sky-rocketing inflation.

Food insecurity is also a gendered, as well as child health issue, affecting more than a quarter of all single mothers, with single fathers being the second most impacted.

The knock on impacts of food insecurity in childhood can be significant, often causing disadvantage that persists for the duration of one’s life.

As a result, the cost of addressing the issue to ensure that no child goes hungry pays for itself many times over.

Share on social.

However, at a deeper level charity does not solve household food insecurity. It is a systemic issue that requires a systemic, not a band-aide or piecemeal, solution. When the charitable food is gone household food insecurity still exists because there is still not enough money to buy food.

Furthermore, only about 20% of households experiencing food insecurity access food banks. Those who choose not to use food banks may sell possessions, delay paying rent or other bills, or they may eat less or not eat at all.

According to the United Nations Human Right Council all humans have the right to adequate food in socially dignified ways. In a country as rich as Canada everyone should be able to buy the food they require to be healthy and ensure those they care for are healthy.

It takes more than food to solve food insecurity. Income solutions are needed to address this urgent public health problem.

Did You Know…?

1 in 8 Simcoe Muskoka households are food insecure
1 in 6 children and youth in Simcoe Muskoka are food insecure.
People who experience food insecurity have poorer physical and mental health and are less able to participate in their community
The most food insecure individuals can cost the health care system up to 121% more money (up to $4000 annually) compared to those who are not food insecure ($1600 annually)
Only 1 out of 5 food insecure people will visit a food bank locally

https://www.simcoemuskokahealth.org/centsless)

What You Can Do As A Municipal Leader:

Annually review the prevalence and severity of poverty and household food insecurity, understand its impacts on community members and on the community, and use this information to take municipal action
Advocate to the provincial and federal governments for income policies and programs that can reduce household food insecurity, like shifting existing provincial income support programs toward basic income principles that require less conditionality while providing a livable income with more autonomy.
Work with local coalitions that are working to reduce household food insecurity and support those most vulnerable.
Facilitate local level initiatives that increase economic resilience for individuals/families with very low incomes and for groups experiencing systemic racism, like supporting local Community Volunteer Income Tax Programs (CVITPs) through Canada Revenue Agency.
Lead by example by implementing a living-wage policy for municipal employees and contractors, and earn certification through the Ontario Living Wage Network.
Promote and encourage Living Wage Employers within the municipality by:

1. Leading education campaigns in partnership with the local Chamber of Commerce and Poverty Reduction Task Group
2. Showcase Living Wage employers through campaigns similar to Communities in Bloom

Enhance policy and program support for employment, training, entrepreneurship, and economic development.
Offer subsidized transit and support alternative transportation strategies in municipalities that do not have the needed infrastructure to ensure everyone has access to food.