One in five Chatham-Kent households food-insecure: Health unit

With one in five Chatham-Kent households having trouble putting food on the table, public health officials are continuing to raise awareness that more than short-term solutions are needed.

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The release of CK Public Health’s 2023 Cost of Eating in CK infographic stated that, due to financial challenges, 20 per cent of the community find themselves having to choose between buying food or paying their bills.

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“In Chatham-Kent, people living with food insecurity must choose between paying for housing or paying for food. The increasing cost of food is making this issue worse,” Carmen McGregor, chair of the Chatham-Kent Food Policy Council, said in a release this week.

However, McGregor stressed the problem goes deeper than inflation, noting households simply aren’t bringing in enough income to make ends meet.

“It is important to realize though, that food prices are not the root cause of food insecurity for the CK community,” she said. “It is a lack of adequate and secure income.”

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The release said community organizations are essential in providing emergency food assistance to those in need, but officials stressed this is only a “temporary solution, and it does not address the true cause” of food insecurity, nor its health impacts.

Not having enough money to pay for food takes a toll on physical and mental health, as it significantly increases the risk of diabetes, heart disease, anxiety, depression and other ailments.

Brock McGregor, health board chair, told The Daily News on Thursday that public health remains focused on addressing the social determinants of health.

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“In the current environment, it is no surprise that food insecurity continues to be an issue, as households struggle with increased costs of food and housing,” he said.

“It is clear social supports are inadequate in Ontario. We need to advocate for solutions to the affordability crisis, and increased supports to the vulnerable in our community.”

Shanker Nesathurai, acting medical officer of health, said food insecurity is a “complex issue that affects many households in Chatham-Kent.”

“We need to come together to raise awareness and advocate for healthy public policies,” he said.

For those curious about what they can do to help, CK Public Health recommends:

• Learning more about food insecurity.
• Talking to friends, family, and colleagues about the true cause of food insecurity.
• Advocating for income solutions to food insecurity.

For more information about food insecurity, visit CKPublicHealth.com/FoodInsecurity

[email protected]

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