A Growing Hunger for Income Solutions
Written by Comms Team, December 11, 2024
Health Unit’s Annual Report Highlights More Severe Food Insecurity
From 2021 to 2023, approximately one in five households in Peterborough City and County faced food insecurity. Each year, Peterborough Public Health (PPH) releases a report on household food insecurity within the City and County of Peterborough. However, this year’s report shows a significant increase in the severity of that food insecurity.
The 2024 report highlights how incomes are failing to meet the rising costs of basic needs and folks are now, more than ever, are missing meals or reducing food intake due to cost. The Canadian Consumer Price Index shows that goods and services increased by 6.8% in 2022 – the biggest increase in 40 years – and another 3.9% in 2023. Yet incomes have not increased at the same rate. Food insecurity is an income problem, which cannot be properly resolved without income solutions and addressing other critical community issues, such as:
- Affordable housing
- Strengthening food systems
- Addressing racism and discrimination
- Supporting Indigenous self-determination and health equity
- Helping families with children to thrive
Household food insecurity increases both adult’s and children’s risk of chronic diseases, infectious diseases, and poorer mental health, among other negative health outcomes. “Consistent with provincial and national trends, the Food Insecurity Report addresses the largest increases in food insecurity that our communities have faced in decades. To get to root causes and reverse this trend, we need to address income as a determinant of health”, said Dr. Thomas Piggott, Medical Officer of Health and CEO of PPH. Residents are encouraged to continue taking action for income solutions, including the right to affordable housing, and learning about food insecurity within our community. The full report can be read online at: www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/2024-Report-Addressing-Food-Insecurity-in-Peterborough.pdf
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For further information, please contact:
Media Relations
media@peterboroughpublichealth.ca