“Food insecurity” remains a critical issue in Renfrew County.
In fact, a new report from the Renfrew County and District Health Unit suggests that almost one in three households in the area – 31 per cent – are estimated to be “food insecure,” compared to one in six in 2022 and one in seven in 2021.
The health unit’s “food affordability report” was presented to Renfrew County’s community services committee last week.
“It paints a pretty glum picture of our food (situation),” said Laurentian Hills Mayor Anne Giardini, chair of the committee.
In their report, the health unit notes that it monitors local food affordability and rates of food insecurity each year “to better understand how income and living costs affect residents’ ability to afford basic needs.”
“Food insecurity occurs when individuals or families do not have reliable access to enough safe and nutritious food due to financial constraints,” the report notes.
“When household income is limited, people may be forced to make difficult choices between food and other essentials such as housing, medication, or transportation”…
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