ONE IN SIX LOCAL HOUSEHOLDS EXPERIENCE FOOD INSECURITY

IT COSTS A SIMCOE-MUSKOKA REGION FAMILY OF FOUR $1,159.92 TO BUY BASIC GROCERIES FOR THE MONTH

Putting healthy food on the table is becoming increasingly tenuous for Simcoe-Muskoka region residents.

The main culprit? An "unprecedented" increase in the cost of living, the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit warns.

On Feb. 21, the agency released its 2022 Nutritious Food Basket survey, a key tool used to monitor local food affordability. Conducted annually, the survey measures how much residents spend on a basic healthy diet.

Last year, it cost $1,159.92 for a family of four (two adults and two children), and $419 for a single-person household, to buy essential groceries for the month.

"When people have no other option but to cut their food budget to pay for other essential fixed expenses, they are experiencing household food insecurity," health unit nutritionist and registered dietician Vanessa Hurley said. "The struggle to put food on the table is real for many of our residents — one in six households are experiencing some level of food insecurity. Without access to nutritious foods, people may begin to experience negative health outcomes that can last a long time, and even a lifetime."

A family of four with one full-time earner (defined as working 40 hours per week) making minimum wage is spending 66 per cent of their household income on food and rent.

Meanwhile, a single adult on Ontario Works who lives alone is spending 161 per cent of their income, which leaves no money left over for non-negotiable living expenses like utilities or transportation, Hurley said.

This comes as Statistics Canada released its Consumer Price Index numbers for January, which show inflation increased by 5.9 per cent across the

country, year over year. That's down from 6.3 per cent in December. StatsCan found prices for cellular services and passenger vehicles contributed to the deceleration, though mortgage interest rates and food prices continue to rise.

Food, which includes

both groceries and restaurant items, rose at a slightly faster pace year over year in January (10.4 per cent) than in December (10.1 per cent).

Grocery acceleration was driven in part by annual growth in meat prices (7.3 per cent), resulting

from the largest monthover-month jump since June 2004.

Fresh and frozen chicken were notable contributors to the gain — due to supply constraints and avian influenza — rising nine per cent in January compared with December.

That's the largest monthly hike since September 1986.

Bakery products (15.5 per cent), dairy (12.4 per cent) and fresh vegetables (14.7 per cent) also saw large year-over-year price increases last month.

Individuals living with household food insecurity are more likely to suffer from poor physical and mental health, diabetes, hypertension and depression. Children are at higher risk of developing asthma and mental-health conditions, Hurley said.

"What we need are policies and programs at all levels of government that reduce poverty and help people afford basic healthy food and the cost of living," she said. "This includes increased social-assistance rates, jobs that pay a living wage, and more affordable housing options in our communities. We need to reduce household insecurity rates in our communities — it affects us all and we all have a role to play."

For more details about the survey and food insecurity, visit the health unit's website or call the Health Connection line weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 1-877-721-7520.