THUNDER BAY -- Families across the district are spending more of their monthly income on food compared to last year, as food insecurity in the region continues to rise.
According to the Thunder Bay District Health Unit’s Food Security Report for 2023, an average family of four, including two parents and two children, spends $1,204 per month on basic food items, which is 43 per cent of their monthly income.
This is an increase of 15.2 per cent or $158 per month from 2022.
“When families cannot afford the quality or amount of food they need to stay healthy, they are food insecure,” said Kim McGibbon, public health nutritionist with the Thunder Bay District Health Unit.
“As food is a flexible expense, many families do not have enough money to buy food after paying for rent and utilities.”
Single-person households spend on average $436 per month on basic food items, or 50 per cent of their monthly income.
The report also found that 16.7 per cent of households in the Thunder Bay District are food insecure and more people, even with income from employment, are unable to afford enough food.
Food insecurity can lead to adverse health outcomes, such as poor diet, purchasing low-nutrient food, and increased risk of conditions like heart disease and diabetes.
“Food banks were created to provide temporary relief to food insecurity,” said Dr. Janet DeMille, medical officer of health.
“Addressing food insecurity over the long-term requires income-based solutions, such as providing individuals with a living wage that reflects the true costs of living and providing a basic income guarantee.”
The health unit's board of directors endorsed correspondence to the federal government supporting Bill S-233, which includes a national framework for a guaranteed liveable basic income.
