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Health Equity

Reducing Household Food Insecurity

It takes more than food to solve hunger

Imagine month after month not having enough money to put food on the table and to pay for rent and other basics like clothing, school supplies, transportation and phone bills. This situation is known as “food insecurity” — not enough money for food.

Empty plate with the word centsless.

Why should we be concerned?

  • 1 in 8 Simcoe Muskoka households are food insecure. Learn more about the cost of healthy eating in Simcoe Muskoka
  • 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
  • Only 1 out of 5 food insecure people will visit a food bank locally

What can be done?

To make sure that everyone can afford to feed themselves and their families it is important to:

  • Increase social assistance rates to match real living costs, indexed to inflation,
  • Support fair workplaces and good jobs with regular hours and benefits,
  • Increase minimum wage, and
  • Provide a basic income for all Ontarians.
  • Share your favourite video on social media.
  • Talk about the issue with your local MP or MPP to express your concerns about household food insecurity in your community.
  • Write a letter or sign and send the Cent$less postcard to the Premier and all provincial party leaders to express your concerns about household food insecurity in your community.

Food and Poverty, in Video

 

 
Shanty Bay Public School student Noah voices his opinion about food insecurity in a video he created as a school project.

More resources

The resources below are printable, if you have a colour printer. If you would like to receive printed copies of these, please contact us through Health Connection.

Postcard:

PCARDtnail
 

Poster:

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