Data collected by the Grey Bruce Health Unit shows food security is becoming increasingly difficult for regional households each month amid inflation.
GBHU Program Manager of the Chronic Disease & Injury Prevention program Jason Weppler says, this annually collected data came from surveying over half a dozen local grocery stores for the cost of about 60 food items.
The data found that a family of four would spend nearly $1,100 each month on groceries, while a single person would spend almost $400.
The GBHU says for a family of four which both parents make minimum wage, they would be spending 28 per cent of their monthly income on food, and when combined with the cost of rent, they would have about $1,600 left for all other expenses.
A single person, however, who relies on Ontario Works, would need 46 per cent of their income for food, and when including the rent, they would be just short over $400 each month before addressing all other expenses.
Weppler says, “these scenarios show that for low-income households in Grey-Bruce, current income levels are not adequate to pay for basic living costs, including food and housing.”
The United Way of Bruce Grey estimate the average rent for a one bedroom apartment to about about $1,500 and between $2,200 and $2,500 for a two bedroom.
Weppler says determining how much a household should be spending on food is very subjective, but equates to how families should be spending 30 per cent of their income on rent, groceries should be along the same lines.
Weppler adds having this food insecurity as a result of financial constraints is a serious public health issue as it can lead to severe physical, mental and social health impacts. This, however, cannot be tackled by traditional food charity like food banks. A recent study has found about one in six in Ontario live in a household experiencing food insecurity, and about one in five children were found to live in a food-insecure household.
“The challenge is we know only about 20 per cent of Canadians are accessing the food banks. So of those who are food insecure, one about one in five are actually accessing those resources, so it is not solving the problem and I think overall, the foodbanks are a very short term solution because it doesn’t increase the income that family would have. So eventhough they have got a meal for the day, if they visit OSHaRE, they are still going to be back in that same situation tomorrow,” says Weppler.
The GBHU suggests the solution could come from policy changes and community responses which address income issues, access to safe and affordable housing, and access to transportation. By making sure residents in the region make the income they need to address their various needs, the health unit says it will improve community well-being and reduce the strain on the healthcare system.
“Exposure to severe food insecurity during childhood puts kids at greater risk of conditions like asthma, depression, and suicidal ideation in adolescence and early adulthood. Food insecure people are also more vulnerable to infectious diseases, and are more likely to suffer from negative mental health impacts like depression. Also when households do not have enough food, health care costs increase by 23 to 121 per cent, with costs increasing relative to the severity of food insecurity experienced,” says Weppler.
According to the 2022 Canada Food Price Report, the overall food prices have risen from three per cent in 2021 to five per cent in 2022. They are also expected to increase again from five per cent to seven per cent this year. The report also predicts the cost of food for a family of four will cost $14,767 this year.