PORT HOPE, ON (May 21, 2024) – The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (HKPR) District Health Authority has announced a 2023 initiative titled “Addressing Food Insecurity and Poverty in the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District.” published its Nutritious Food Basket Report. . The report finds that low-income households in the City of Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton County and Northumberland County are struggling to pay for necessities such as housing and food because price increases have not kept pace with increases in income and social assistance payments. It highlights that the government is struggling with this.
In its Nutritious Food Basket report, the Hong Kong People's Government District Health Department compares the income and expenditures of several household scenarios to find out how much money is left over for families and individuals after housing and food expenses are paid. It shows. In some scenarios, these expenses alone can exceed your income and leave you with not enough money to pay for other basic needs such as utilities, phone, internet, and medicine.
“Families feel food insecure when they don't earn enough money to buy food,” says Sarah Tsang, registered dietitian and health equity coordinator at the Hong Kong People's Government District Health Department. Masu. “These families are having to make difficult decisions, such as whether to buy healthy food or pay other necessities such as rent and utilities.”
The Hong Kong People's Government District Health Department estimates that a family of four (two adults and two children) will spend an average of $1,184 per month on healthy food in 2023. In this household income scenario in the report, if a family earned the minimum wage, they spent 28% of their income on foods that meet the Canadian Food Guide. After paying rent, you only have a few hundred dollars left for other basic living expenses.
Key findings of the 2023 Addressing Food Insecurity and Poverty Report include:
12.9 percent of households in Haliburton County, 10.2 percent of households in Kawartha Lakes City, and 8.7 percent of households in Northumberland County are considered low income and struggle to pay rent, bills, and eat healthy food. There is. In the Hong Kong People's Republic of China area, 39.8 percent of tenant households spend more than 30 percent of their income on housing. More than 3,300 families are waiting for housing across Northumberland County, Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton County. Across the Hong Kong PR region, he has over 9,000 recipients in OW and ODSP combined. Only 20% of Canadian households facing food insecurity use food banks. The living wage in the Hong Kong PR District area in 2023 is $20.60 per hour.
“Food insecurity is a serious social and public health problem,” says Sarah Tsang. “Addressing food insecurity requires long-term income-based solutions with a focus on poverty reduction, including adequate incomes, improved employment standards, increased social assistance rates and a guaranteed basic income.”
Residents, local government leaders, and community partners are encouraged to learn more about issues that affect many households in their geographic area. It is also important to speak up in support of income-based solutions, support programs and services that make life more affordable, and businesses that respect the health and dignity of their employees. And always remember to be kind and considerate to your friends, family, and neighbors who may be struggling with food insecurity.
To read the full 2023 Nutritious Food Basket report, “Tackling Food Insecurity and Poverty in Haliburton County, City of Kawartha Lakes, and Northumberland County,” visit hkpr.on.ca/FoodInsecurity.
