***Written by Rachel Pancini
Local residents are struggling to afford the basic nutritious foods that are needed to meet nutrition recommendations.
That’s according to the new Nutritious Food Basket survey conducted by Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit. Officials say it shows that basic nutritious foods costs $1,302.77 for a family of four and $452.83 for a single-person household. The Health Unit says when combined with the cost of rent, a family of four receiving Ontario Works benefits would need to spend 100 percent of their income just on food and rent alone.
Data from Public Health Ontario shows an increase in food insecurity in Simcoe Muskoka. Since 2022 the number of house holds experiencing food insecurity has nearly doubled meaning one in three households are currently dealing with food insecurity.
Vanessa Hurley, Public Health Nutritionist and Registered Dietitian at SMDHU says “When people cannot afford nutritious food, their overall health gets worse, which adds more strain to our healthcare system.”
Those who are living with food insecurity are at higher risk of suffering health conditions such as; diabetes, hypertension and depression.
To address the growing household food insecurity crisis, Hurley says the need for “bold government action on income-based solutions that put more money in people’s pockets for food and other basic needs—not just short-term fixes, but long-term, sustainable solutions”.
For actions that can be taken or to find out how the health unit can help you, visit smdhu.org.
