Food insecurity continues to plague 20 per cent of local residents.
According to recent data from CK Public Health, one in five households in Chatham-Kent do not have enough money and must decide between paying bills or buying food.
Wallaceburg Coun. Carmen McGregor, chair of the Chatham-Kent Food Policy Council, said people are facing tough choices and the rising cost of food is making the issue worse.
However, McGregor said the root cause is a “lack of adequate and secure income” rather than price increases.
CKPH recently released an infographic outlining the latest statistics.
McGregor’s words are echoed by Dr. Shanker Nesathurai, C-K’s acting medical officer of health, noting it’s a community-wide problem, as not having enough money to pay for food negatively impacts physical and mental health, increasing the risk of diabetes, heart disease, anxiety and depression.
“Food insecurity is a complex issue that affects many households in Chatham-Kent,” Nesathurai said. “We need to come together to raise awareness and advocate for healthy public policies.”
For those wondering what they can do to help, CKPH recommends learning more about food insecurity; talking to friends, family and colleagues about the true cause of food insecurity and advocating for income solutions to food insecurity.
For more information about food insecurity visit ckphu.com/foodinsecurity.
