Rising food costs affect everyone, but those already struggling feel the rising costs the most.
As costs of housing, childcare, and other necessities increase, families and individuals must make difficult decisions about whether to pay the rent or feed their families.
Many people are struggling to pay for their groceries. Things such as low paying jobs, part-time work, unpredictable hours, and high cost of living can make even basic food items harder to afford. Physical, mental, and social health can also be impacted by these added challenges.
When hearing about the problem of hunger, you may have heard the term “food insecurity.” Food insecurity is “the inability to access a sufficient quantity or variety of food because of financial constraints.” In Canada, we don’t have a food scarcity problem – we have an inequality problem.
37% of food hamper recipients region-wide are children
Some people will only need help feeding their families once or twice during a crisis. For others, it is a regular occurrence. It can be hard to ask for help and many times individuals and families go hungry due to missed meals.
Hunger Report 2023: Why Ontarians can’t get ahead
Hunger Count 2023 – When is it Enough?
Household food insecurity in Canada The problem of hunger at a national level
It’s time to find solutions to hunger and poverty in Waterloo Region
Cost of Eating Well in Waterloo Region (2023)
Nutritious Food Basket (2019) Monthly expenses compared across income brackets
Hunger in Waterloo Region Local statistics on those accessing food assistance in the region
‘Layer upon layer of issues’ News article on rising grocery bills and economic inflation
