Vital Signs Data
Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)
SDG 2.1: End hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round.
Prevalence of food insecurity
Prevalence of food insecurity
Food insecurity is a serious public health problem in Hastings and Prince Edward Counties (HPEC). Public Health Ontario shows the prevalence of household food insecurity for South East Health Unit (which encompasses the previous Hastings Prince Edward Health region), is 26.9 per cent.
Food insecurity is not only defined by having insufficient amounts of food, but also a diet that is lacking in quality, variety, or desirability. Food insecurity is highly correlated with financial challenges but may also be caused by physical or logistical challenges in accessing or cooking nutritious food.
Food insecurity has historically been higher in Hastings Prince Edward (HPE) than the Ontario average. However, prior to the pandemic, HPE was making gradual progress in reducing food insecurity.
Based on a household’s experience, they can be considered food secure or in one of 3 categories of food insecurity:
Marginal food insecurity: Worry about running out of food and/or limited food selection due to a lack of money for food.
Moderate food insecurity: Compromise in quality and/or quantity of food due to a lack of money for food.
Severe food insecurity: Miss meals, reduce food intake, and at the most extreme go day(s) without food.
Factors
Food insecurity isn’t caused by a lack of food. It results from not having enough financial resources to afford sufficient healthy, nutritious food. In Canada since 2019, food banks have seen a 90% increase in need in their various communities. (Food Banks Canada)
- People are food insecure because they lack the money to buy food. Especially vulnerable are households that rent their accommodations, those that are led by female single parents, single adults, those living with disabilities, racialized and immigrant households. (Community Food Centres Canada. Beyond Hunger: the hidden impacts of food insecurity)
- Most food-insecure households are in the workforce. In 2021, 51.9% of food-insecure households reported their main source of income as wages, salaries, or self-employment. (PROOF Food Insecurity Policy Research, Household Food Insecurity in Canada)
- Growth in precarious employment,lack of affordable housing and insufficient social assistance programs are the top three drivers of food bank usage. (Feed Ontario, Hunger Report 2020)
- Most food insecure households do not access food banks. Only about 25% of food insecure households use food banks. Food Banks Canada surveys reveal that stigma is associated with charity and accessing food banks is a last resort. People will compromise on food to meet other financial obligations such as rent. (Food Banks Canada)
- Lack of access to public transportationis a barrier to accessing food, especially for low-income seniors and young families in rural areas. (Hastings Prince Edward Public Health, “Community Food Assessment for Hastings and Prince Edward Counties)
Impact on health
How you can help
Volunteer or donate to a local food program -- food banks, community pantries, volunteer drivers for grocery deliveries, food prep and cooking, community gardens, community meals -- there are many ways to help.
- Participate in “Fresh for All”, a community of gardeners, businesses, organizations and individuals working together to share fresh food.
- Support local organizations that increase literacy levels andfinancial empowerment
- Donate your Aeroplan Miles to help offset travel costs for Community Food Centre of Canada partners.
- Send your MP a letter asking them to end disability poverty today!
- Support the passing of Bill C-22 for an improved Canada Disability Benefit
- Advocate for saving farmland from development.
