1 in 3 Ontario children are living in food-insecure homes: Breakfast Club of Canada

A significant portion of children in Ontario are facing food insecurity, with one in three living in households that struggle to provide adequate meals. This alarming statistic, released by the Breakfast Club of Canada, highlights a growing need for nutritional support programs as children prepare to return to school.

“

Kids show up to school every day and, very often, don’t have the nutrition that they need to get through that day in a positive way or be their best selves at school.

Nationally, the issue is widespread, impacting nearly 2.4 million children across Canada. Ryan Baker, Breakfast Club of Canada's programs lead, stressed the importance of ensuring every student has access to nutritious meals to thrive academically and personally. In Toronto alone, the organization supports 863 breakfast programs, benefiting over 250,000 children.

“

We know that universal programs, they improve health by promoting food and nutrition security, they encourage long-term healthy eating habits and they support student’s mental and physical health.

Tara Galloro, a policy development officer with the City of Toronto's poverty reduction office, noted the multifaceted benefits of universal food programs. These initiatives not only promote food and nutrition security but also foster long-term healthy eating habits and support students' mental and physical well-being. They are also linked to reduced behavioral and emotional difficulties, such as bullying and anxiety, and improved educational outcomes.

“

By the time the household is struggling to put food on the table, they are struggling with a whole lot of things: utility payments, telecommunications, rent, transportation, you name it. Food is just one part of the budget.

However, Professor Emerita Valerie Tarasuk from the University of Toronto suggests that food insecurity is often a symptom of broader economic challenges. She points out that households struggling with food costs are likely facing difficulties with utilities, rent, and transportation. Tarasuk advocates for a re-evaluation of existing benefit programs, such as the Canada Child Benefit and Ontario Child Benefit, to ensure they adequately support families in need.

“

We just have to go back to the drawing board a little bit and say, ‘How come we have this problem?’ What better could we be doing with these benefit programs to make sure they’re reaching people who need them and they’re providing adequate support.