What is Food Insecurity?
Food insecurity is the result of insecure accessibility to nutritious, and personally pleasing food, such as culturally appropriate food. One of the leading causes of food insecurity is income constraints [1].
The COVID 19 pandemic exacerbated food insecurity, as many individuals have faced job loss or reduced income. Food Banks Canada reported a 5% increase in food bank usage in the province of Ontario during 2020 with many people making use of food banks for the very first time. Feed Ontario (2022) released a report stating that between April 1st 2021 and March 31st 2022, over 587,000 individuals utilized food banks in Ontario, resulting in a 15% increase in food bank usage and a 42% increase over the past three years [2]. The number of individuals accessing food banks is predicted to continue increasing at alarming rates with an expected increase of 60% in 2023, going from serving 5,141,481 individuals per month in 2022 to an estimated 8,208,679 individuals in 2023 [3].
Certain populations and households are more likely to experience food insecurity. For example, households led by a female as a lone or single parent are more vulnerable to experiencing food insecurity with reports disclosing that 38% of these households experienced food insecurity in 2021 [4]. As well, there is a substantial frequency of individuals of indigenous status and racial/cultural groups that report experiencing food insecurity compared to individuals identifying as white [4]. Indigenous peoples experienced the greatest burden of food insecurity compared to any other group with 30.7% of individuals reporting experiencing food insecurity in 2021 [4].
Income constraints are the leading contributor to the prevalence of food insecurity. There also been massive hike-ups in rent costs across the province which leaves individuals experiencing greater budget restrictions and less money left over each month to pay for food. Drastic increases in inflation have led to food prices for all categories to increase by approximately 7% in all provinces which has intensified the struggle to afford nutritious food as grocery bills also skyrocket [5]. Thus, more and more individuals are desperate for relief and are turning towards food banks for support.
Studies have determined that in 2021 roughly 1 in 5 children, under 18 years old, in all provinces were living in a household that experienced food insecurity to some degree [4]. This is equal to approximately 1.4 million children experiencing the effects of food insecurity with about 20.6% of them living in Ontario [4]. Children living in food-insecure households have a greater risk for developmental delays and poorer academic performance. As well, experiencing food insecurity as a child can have effects even into adulthood as there is a greater risk of developing chronic diseases and health conditions [4]. As an adult, food insecurity continues to have significant impacts on mental and physical health, as well as economic and social well-being. Individuals are at a greater risk for diabetes and heart disease as well as may experience increased levels of anxiety and depression [4].
The Good Food Impact is a non-profit with a vision to help lower the prevalence of food insecurity within the community by providing supports and addressing the root causes of food insecurity. The Good Food Impact initiatives help provide accessible prepared meals to individuals in need in the community. As well, the organization has created educational workshops and information sessions for students as an upstream initiative that educate students on the concepts of food insecurity and provide food literacy skills that they can use into adulthood.
Food insecurity is an immense issue and requires a multi-faceted approach to address. By working together, we can advocate and work towards building an equitable and food secure community and province.
References
[1] Canada, H. (2020, February 18). Government of Canada. Canada.ca. Retrieved May 5, 2023, from https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/food-nutrition/food-nutrition-surveillance/health-nutrition-surveys/canadian-community-health-survey-cchs/household-food-insecurity-canada-overview.html
[2] Feedontario.ca. (n.d.). Retrieved May 5, 2023, from https://feedontario.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Hunger-Report-2022-Final.pdf
[3] CBC/Radio Canada. (2023, January 12). 60% more Canadians per month expected to use food banks, other programs in 2023, survey finds | CBC News. CBCnews. Retrieved May 5, 2023, from https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/60-rise-use-of-food-banks-programs-canada-2023-1.6711094
[4] Who are most at risk of household food insecurity? PROOF. (2022, September 24). Retrieved May 5, 2023, from https://proof.utoronto.ca/food-insecurity/who-are-most-at-risk-of-household-food-insecurity/#
[5] Canada’s food price report - dalhousie university. (n.d.). Retrieved May 5, 2023, from https://cdn.dal.ca/content/dam/dalhousie/pdf/sites/agri-food/Canada%20Food%20Price%20Report%20Eng%202020.pdf
