Household Food Insecurity in Niagara

Household food insecurity is not having enough money to buy food. Due to a lack of money, people who are food insecure may:

• Worry about running out of food
• Compromise quality and quantity of food
• Miss meals, limit their intake or go without

Household food insecurity can take a toll on health and well-being. People who are food insecure are more likely to have:

• Poor diets and consume less fruits and vegetables
• Poorer physical health and at risk for many chronic conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, arthritis and back problems
• An increased risk for depression, anxiety disorder, mood disorders or suicidal thoughts
  

Children who experience food insecurity at an early age are more likely to develop asthma and mental health problems that persist into adolescence and adulthood.

Learn more about food insecurity.

Taking action on food insecurity

Public policies, such as senior pensions, child benefit programs and other social assistance programs can improve the financial circumstances of households and reduce food insecurity.

However, income support received through these programs are often not enough, and households are still forced to compromise food quality and quantity to pay the bills.

At Niagara Region Public Health, we're calling on the federal and provincial governments to implement policies that improve the financial circumstances of individuals and families. The policies would:

• Increase minimum wage
• Reduce taxes for the lowest tax brackets
• Increase social assistance rates
• Further study a basic income guarantee. A basic income guarantee is a payment to eligible families or individuals that ensures a minimum income level regardless of employment status.

Read the report on Food Affordability in Niagara: Results of the 2023 Nutritious Food Basket Survey prepared for the Niagara Regional Council Public Health and Social Services Committee (October, 2023).

Read the motion by Niagara Regional Council Public Health and Social Services Committee: Basic Income for Income Security (July 14, 2020).

How you can take action on food insecurity

• Be informed

  Learn about the root causes of food insecurity from PROOF - Food Insecurity Policy Research.

• Join forces

  Are you an individual or an organization passionate about addressing food insecurity in Niagara?

  Seek or form opportunities for coordination and collaboration on advocacy, service provision, or other programs that strive to improve food access for individuals and families in Niagara.

  Join the Niagara Food Security Network.

• Advocate for income-based solutions to food insecurity

  Write a letter to your MP / MPP calling for solutions to improve the financial circumstances of individuals and families including:

  • Provide social assistance programs that are adequate in helping to cover the cost of living and necessities
  • Provide a basic income guarantee
  • Raise the minimum wage and create jobs that pay a living wage
  • Ensure attainable and affordable housing
  • Provide income tax filing support or reduce income taxes for low-income households

  Learn what can be done to address food insecurity.