2024 Re-cap: Addressing Food Insecurity in Peterborough
Household food insecurity refers to worrying about running out of money for food. It is a worsening
public health issue, affecting Indigenous people, the County and City of Peterborough, and people
across Ontario and Canada. Nearly 1 in 5 households faced food insecurity in Peterborough County
and City, between 2021-2023. Locally, individuals and families are forced to choose between paying
for rent, or food. Household food insecurity is not an isolated problem. Tackling this issue reveals interconnections with critical community priorities such as:
- affordable housing,
- adapting to climate change and strengthening food
systems, - addressing racism and discrimination,
- supporting Indigenous self determination and health
equity, and - helping families with children to thrive.
Many types of community and systems change are needed. But
there is a common thread through all of these priorities: a
growing hunger for income solutions. Inadequate incomes are
the root cause of household food insecurity. Despite best
efforts, food relief programs can’t keep up with the need, and
don’t address the root of the issue. Policy that allows all
community members and families to have enough money to live
with dignity, is an essential ingredient to achieve these priorities
and to help communities thrive.
To learn more, visit https://www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca/reports-and-data/, to access “Addressing Food Insecurity in Peterborough: A Growing Hunger for Income Solutions”.