Northeastern Ontario food banks, health units call for government to address rising food insecurity – CBC

Algoma Public Health says 17.6% of local households were food insecure in 2021-2023

Jun 03, 2025

Rates of food insecurity continue to rise in communities across the province, including in northeastern Ontario, according to a number of organizations and agencies in the region.

Health units, social services agencies and food banks say food insecurity is directly tied to low income, and they’re calling on the province to address the issue and set targets to reduce it.

In a new report, Algoma Public Health said 17.6 per cent of local households were food insecure between 2021 and 2023. It found social assistance rates and minimum wage are not enough to cover costs of living.

The report highlighted that households receiving social assistance such as Ontario Works (OW) or the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) struggle more with food insecurity, according to Lisa O’Brien, a health promotion specialist with Algoma Public Health.

Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/food-insecurity-rates-on-the-rise-1.7550331