Hastings and Prince Edward has second highest rate of food insecurity in Ontario

23% of households in Hastings and Prince Edward Counties (HPEC) are food insecure based on estimates released from the Canadian Income Survey (CIS). This is higher than the Ontario average of 17.4% and the second highest rate in public health units in the province. Some residents spend up to 48% of their income on healthy eating.

HPEC is the area that Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) is responsible for, including:

• Hastings County
• Belleville
• Quinte West
• Prince Edward County
• Tyendinaga

Food insecurity is an “inadequate or insecure access to food due to financial constraints” and is a considerable public health issue (PROOF, n.d.).

Some health impacts of food insecurity include developmental challenges in youth, development of chronic diseases such as diabetes and asthma, as well as depression.

23% of residents experience food insecurity

HPEC residents are being adversely affected by high food costs. Approximately one-quarter of HPEC residents are food insecure and can spend up to 48 per cent of their income on healthy eating. This calculation is based on a monitoring tool called the Nutritious Food Basket, which measures the cost of basic healthy eating by calculating the cost of food choices that are recommended by Canada’s Food Guide and that reflect Canadian eating and purchasing patterns. After factoring in the cost of food and rent, this can lead to little or no money
for remaining costs.

Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) measures the cost of eating well using the Nutritious Food Basket (NFB) tool, which provides health units across Ontario with a consistent approach to measure the cost of eating well in the region through local data collection of food cost. Food affordability is then monitored by taking into consideration local factors such as rental rates, various incomes, and expenses.

Risk of food insecurity is higher for renters, racialized, indigenous households

• Renter households
• Households reliant on a low-income or social assistance
• Indigenous peoples and racialized groups
• Single mothers
• Households with children under the age of 18

Food insecurity is racialized. Groups who experienced and continue to experience a history of colonization, systemic racism and other forms of discrimination are disproportionately affected by food insecurity.

Food insecurity impacts health

• Adults in food-insecure households are more likely to experience negative mental and physical health outcomes such as depression, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.
• Children in food-insecure households face a higher likelihood of developmental challenges and poor academic performance, as well as development of conditions such as asthma and depression.
• Individuals and families who are food insecure often have higher healthcare expenditures and have more difficulty managing diseases.

Hunger at Home: Food Insecurity in Belleville documentary

The following documentary looks at hunger issues both hidden and overt facing many Belleville residents and the organizations that are taking action to help:

Video sponsored by Belleville United Church Cluster and produced by Doug Knutson, Windswept Productions.

Government funding of food charity does not solve food insecurity, improving the incomes of low-income households can

Food insecurity is not a food availability issue. Food insecurity is an income issue.

While food banks and food charity programs play a crucial role in providing immediate relief to individuals and families experiencing food insecurity, they are temporary solutions that do not address the root causes of the issue. In 2023, Feed Ontario reported that “1 in
19 Ontarians relied on a food bank, a 41% per cent increase over 2019-2020”.13 In recent years, reliance on temporary or short-term food support has continued to increase.

The PROOF 2022 food insecurity report emphasizes that relying solely on food charity does not lead to sustainable improvements in
food access. While these initiatives often function as stopgap measures, offering short-term relief, they do not address structural inequalities and systemic factors that contribute to food insecurity.

Policies addressing income disparities, housing, and employment opportunities are essential for creating lasting change.14 A combination of immediate assistance and relief, alongside income-based strategies and policies will provide sustainable long-term relief for those experiencing food insecurity. Acknowledging the current need for and importance of food charity but also recognizing the limitations of this approach as a long-term solution is vital when shifting towards systemic change when addressing food insecurity.

The Real Cost of Eating Well in Hastings and Prince Edward Counties 2023 – Hastings Prince Edward Public Health

Government funding of food charity is ill-founded and further entrenches an ineffective response for reducing household food insecurity.

Canada has a long history of food charity that has led to a massive network of non-profit food providers. This network has grown even larger though the pandemic.

However, food insecurity monitoring shows that there has been no meaningful progress in reducing household food insecurity despite these efforts.

While visiting food banks may provide temporary food relief for those who use them, food banks are unable to address the serious financial hardships that give rise to food insecurity. There is no evidence that food charity can move households out of food insecurity, with studies repeatedly showing that food bank visitors remain food-insecure despite food bank use.

There is also no evidence that other kinds of food-based programs like food literacy education, alternative food retail, food prescriptions, or community gardens can move households out of food insecurity.

What can be done to reduce food insecurity in Canada? – PROOF

As of October 1, 2024, the cost of living in the community is $20.60 per hour, while the current minimum wage is $17.20.

Take action

1. Read What can be done to reduce food insecurity in Canada? by U of T’s PROOF (Food Insecurity Policy Research)
2. Contact your MPP and advocate for:
   • Increasing minimum wage rates to better reflect a living wage
   • Increase social assistance rates (ODSP, Ontario Works) to better reflect the cost of living
3. Support and increase access to local initiatives such as free income tax clinics. This ensures that individuals and families are able to access available tax credits and benefits.
4. Vote for elected representatives who advocate for supports for food insecure households.