Food insecurity is something that impacts the lives of so many across Ontario and is considered an important social determinant of health as it may result in detrimental outcomes for early childhood growth and development, and long-term physical and mental health outcomes.
What is food insecurity?
Food insecurity, also known as household food insecurity, is the inability to obtain a sufficient diet due to income-related food access. Food insecurity can range from worrying about running out of food before getting money to buy more, to not eating for a whole day or more.
Who experiences food insecurity in Ontario?
Food insecurity touches the lives of many Ontarians, including 1 in 5 children. Latest estimates from PROOF show that food insecurity impacts 16% of households in Ontario, which means that approximately 2,340,000 people across the province can’t afford nutritious food on a regular basis.
Household food insecurity is a problem rooted in income. Over 60% of Canadian households with social assistance as a main source of income are food insecure. However, over 50% of food insecure households in Ontario are reliant on wages, salaries, and self-employment as their main sources of income (vs. social assistance, employment insurance, pensions, and other sources).
As summarized by the Ontario Dietitians in Public Health, reducing food insecurity requires solutions targeted to its root problem of insufficient income. Food charity, including food banks, do not address the root of food insecurity, nor are they able to meet the growing demand for their services. Policies that increase household income are necessary to address food insecurity, including a higher minimum wage, increased social assistance rates, and lower income tax rates for the lowest income households.
Public Health Ontario (PHO) health equity resources
PHO provides resourceson many topics of health equity. Most recently, we released a snapshotthat provides Ontario and public health unit estimates of household food insecurity along with other sub-provincial comparisons. This tool can help public health partners across the province access local-level estimates of household food insecurity.
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FAQs
According to the study, prepared by a University of Toronto-based household food insecurity research program called PROOF, 18.7 percent of all families in Ontario do not have enough food to eat. This is up from 16.1 per cent of food insecure households in the province in 2021.
What percentage of households have food insecurity? ›
Hunger Quick Facts for 2022
Overall: One in 8 households (12.8 percent) experienced food insecurity, or lack of access to an affordable, nutritious diet. An estimated 44.2 million Americans lived in these households.
What is the prevalence of household food insecurity? ›
The proportion of families experiencing some level of food insecurity has increased since 2021, increasing from 16% to 18% between 2021 and 2022. This proportion is also slightly higher than before the pandemic - in 2019 (17%).
How is household food insecurity measured in Canada? ›
The Household Food Security Survey Module (HFSSM) is Canada's primary validated measure of food security. It contains 18 questions designed to measure food insecurity resulting from limited financial resources over the previous 12 months.
Which household is most at risk for food insecurity in Canada? ›
According to data from the Canadian Income Survey, the proportion of families who were food insecure in the 12 months preceding the survey increased from 16% in 2021 to 18% in 2022. Among those at highest risk of food insecurity were single mothers, Indigenous families, and Black families.
What is the most food insecure province in Canada? ›
Atlantic provinces have highest rate of insecurity
According to the report, the Atlantic provinces had the highest rate of individuals living in food-insecure households in 2022 — 23.6 per cent in P.E.I., 22.7 per cent in New Brunswick, 22.5 per cent in Newfoundland and Labrador, and 22 per cent in Nova Scotia.
What state has the highest food insecurity rate? ›
At the state level, the projected rate of food insecurity among the overall population for 2021 is the lowest for North Dakota (8.1%) and highest for Mississippi (18.7%). North Dakota also had the lowest food insecurity rate in 2019 (6.7%).
Who is most vulnerable to food insecurity? ›
Racism and discrimination
Marginalized communities, including people of color, LGTBQ individuals, and those with disabilities, are at higher risk of food insecurity due to systemic discrimination and poverty.
What is the root cause of food insecurity? ›
Food insecurity may be long term or temporary. It may be influenced by a number of factors, including income, employment, race/ethnicity, and disability. The risk for food insecurity increases when money to buy food is limited or not available.
How to calculate household food insecurity access scale? ›
When calculating the HFIAS as a continuous indicator, each of the nine questions is scored 0-3, with 3 being the highest frequency of occurrence, and the scores are added together. The total HFIAS can range from 0 to 27, indicating the degree of insecure food access.
8 out of 10 high food insecurity counties are in the South
These regional disparities are consistent with national data from the USDA, which also show that individual food insecurity rates are highest in the South (15.6% as compared to 13.0% in the Midwest, 11.7% in the West, and 11.7% in the Northeast).
Where do the majority of the food insecure population live? ›
People experience food insecurity in every community.
However, people in rural communities and the South are often more likely to lack access to enough food. This is because of many factors like poverty, unemployment, and the cost of living.
How many people in Ontario are food insecure? ›
Latest estimates from PROOF show that food insecurity impacts 16% of households in Ontario, which means that approximately 2,340,000 people across the province can't afford nutritious food on a regular basis.
What percentage of households experience food insecurity? ›
The prevalence of food insecurity increased in 2022 compared with 2021. In 2022, 12.8 percent of U.S. households were food insecure at least some time during the year, meaning they had difficulty providing enough food for all their members because of a lack of resources.
How do you assess household food insecurity? ›
Food insecurity is measured at two levels of severity. In households with low food security, the hardships experienced are primarily reductions in dietary quality and variety. In households with very low food security, the hardships experienced are reduced food intake and skipped meals.
Why is food insecurity bad in Canada? ›
Household food insecurity is strongly linked to poverty in Canada. 70% of households who rely on social assistance in Canada are food insecure. But it also greatly affects a significant portion of the Canadian workforce. 60% of food-insecure households rely on wages and salaries as their main source of income (2).
Who has the highest rate of food insecurity? ›
People experience food insecurity in every community.
However, people in rural communities and the South are often more likely to lack access to enough food. This is because of many factors like poverty, unemployment, and the cost of living.
What is the hunger index in Canada? ›
Canada hunger statistics for 2022 was 0.00%, a 2.5% decline from 2021. Canada hunger statistics for 2021 was 2.50%, a 0% increase from 2020. Canada hunger statistics for 2020 was 2.50%, a 0% increase from 2019. Canada hunger statistics for 2019 was 2.50%, a 0% increase from 2018.
Which country has the most food insecurity? ›
The DRC continues to be at the center of the biggest hunger crisis in the world, one that's poised to affect 25.8 million people this year. This is fuelled by conflict, climate change, and a protracted economic crisis that has left 72% of the country's population living below the poverty line.
