1 in 4 households in southwestern Ontario facing food insecurity: health units

Food insecurity is on the rise across southwestern Ontario, with one in four households struggling to access adequate food in 2024, a joint statement from five regional health units revealed. This increase is attributed to financial difficulties, forcing families into impossible choices between essential expenses.

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More people across our region are being forced to make difficult choices about which basic needs they can afford, and too often, food is one of the first things cut.

Health officials noted that escalating housing and living costs are compelling residents to prioritize rent payments over purchasing groceries. "More people across our region are being forced to make difficult choices about which basic needs they can afford, and too often, food is one of the first things cut," stated Dr. Ninh Tran, medical officer of health for Southwestern Public Health.

The issue affects a significant portion of the population, with the overall average for food insecurity in the region reaching 25.3%. In the Middlesex-London Health Unit area, approximately 30% of residents are experiencing food insecurity. Data from Public Health Ontario indicates a notable increase in food insecurity across all five health unit regions between 2023 and 2024, with some areas seeing rises of five to 10 percent.

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For families, it really means making impossible decisions around essential expenses. We’re seeing rates of food insecurity increase quite significantly over a fairly short period of time.

In response, the health units are calling for government intervention. They advocate for increased social assistance rates, such as through Ontario Works, improved income support for low- and modest-income households, and policies aimed at reducing the cost of housing and other essential expenses. "Local trends show that affordability is becoming more of a challenge, leaving many households struggling to keep up," said Dr. Miriam Klassen, Huron Perth Public Health’s medical officer of health. "Long-term solutions will require a focus on income and financial stability."

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Local trends show that affordability is becoming more of a challenge, leaving many households struggling to keep up. Long-term solutions will require a focus on income and financial stability.