About 20 per cent of Grey-Bruce residents have experienced food insecurity over the past year.
Food Security Coordinator for United Way of Bruce Grey Paul Wagenaar says that “It affects far more people than most realize. Food insecurity is basically just a symptom. And it’s a symptom of a lack of affordable and safe housing.”
Researchers define food insecurity as inadequate or insecure access to food due to financial constraints.
According to the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation, 30-40 per cent of a person’s household income should go toward housing.
Unfortunately, some residents of Grey Bruce are stuck paying more than 80 per cent of their income toward housing, and that doesn’t leave anything for food.
Wagenaar also pointed out that based on current numbers, one in five people in Grey Bruce suffers from some form of food insecurity.
He says that while most communities in the area each have their own food bank, and there are food programs such as OShaRE in Owen Sound to make sure those in need have something to eat, there is a growing demand for those programs, and no relief for those who provide them.
“There are approximately 50 different organizations in Grey-Bruce that help alleviate food insecurity, and I use the word ‘alleviate’ because, for all the great work they do, we’ll have food banks in 40 years unless we really start addressing the root causes of it.”
A recent study from the University of Toronto says around six million Canadians suffer from food insecurity, including 1.4-million children.
