Algoma Public Health - Santé publique Algoma
search
Food Insecurity in Algoma

Algoma Public Health

Food Insecurity in Algoma

  • Facebook
  • Email

 

Click to learn more about the cost of eating well in Algoma

 

Infographic Icon

 

 

 

View the full Food Affordability & Insecurity report

 

 

 

Infographic Icon

 

 

View the accompanying Food Affordability in Algoma infographic

 

 

 

 

What is Food Insecurity?

 

Food is a basic human right. For 1 in 4 households in Algoma, healthy eating is not affordable1. 

Food insecurity occurs when an individual or household has inadequate or insecure access to food due to financial constraints2. 

An individual or household can be considered food insecure if they experience any of the following:  

  • Worry about running out of food or having a limited selection of food  
  • Not eating adequate quantity or variety of food
  • Not eating an adequate quantity or food or, at the most extreme, not eating for a whole day due to lack of money

 

Why should we care about Food Insecurity?

 

  • Between 2023-2024, an average of 25.6% households in Algoma experienced food insecurity1.
  • Children and adults living in food insecure households are more likely to suffer from physical and mental health conditions, leading to greater need for healthcare services, higher rates of hospitalization, and elevated risk of premature death1,3.
  • Food insecurity takes a toll on our community. Food insecure individuals can cost the health care system up to 121% more annually4.
  • Community-based food programs, such as community gardens and food banks, can help alleviate the immediate effects of hunger, but they are not long-term solutions to food insecurity. Evidence consistently shows that income-based interventions are the most effective and sustainable approach to reducing food insecurity1,5.

Food Insecurity means not having enough money to buy food.

 

 

 

References:

  1. Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion (Public Health Ontario). Household Food Insecurity Snapshot.  Toronto, ON: King’s Printer for Ontario. [Cited 2026 Feb 12]. Available from: Household Food Insecurity Snapshot | Public Health Ontario 

  1. Ontario Dietitians in Public Health. ODPH Position Statement on Responses to Food Insecurity: 2020. [Cited 2026 Feb 12].  Available from https:// www.odph.ca/odph-position-statement-on-responses-to-food-insecurity-1. 

  1. PROOF. What are the implications of food insecurity for health and health care? [Cited 2026 Feb 12]. Available from What are the implications of food insecurity for health and health care? - PROOF 

  1. Tarasuk V, Cheng J, de Oliveira C, Dachner N, Gundersen C, Kurdyak P. Association between household food insecurity and annual health care costs. CMAJ. 2015;187(14):E429-E36. [cited 2025 Jun 19]. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.150234 

  1. PROOF. What can be done to reduce food insecurity in Canada? Toronto (ON): University of Toronto; n.d. [cited 2026 Mar 26]. Available from: https://proof.utoronto.ca/food-insecurity/what-can-be-done-to-reduce-food-insecurity-in-canada/