Access to affordable and healthy food is an important health equity issue. It affects the health of individuals in both the short and long term. Research shows children from food insecure households are likely to have poorer physical and mental health, are more likely to go to the hospital, and have poorer cognitive outcomes in later life.
Food insecurity has risen significantly in recent years. Statistics Canada data revealed 18 per cent of families in Canada reported experiencing food insecurity in 2022. Visits to food banks are also unsustainably high, with the Daily Bread Food Bank in Toronto reporting a 273 per cent increase since before the COVID-19 pandemic.
The candidates for leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada must make food security a key priority in their platforms. While food insecurity is related to income, leaders should be willing to consider other changes that could help. The federal government’s efforts to address poverty through means-tested programs such as the child tax credit and grocery rebate did not reach everyone who is going hungry or at risk of going hungry. Data shows food banks are increasingly seeing first-time visits from those who are employed and have jobs as their primary source of income. Recipients of these programs may still be forced to use income on other necessities, rather than healthy, nutritious food, which is sometimes considered an optional expense.
Wellesley Institute has previously recommended the federal government approach food from the bottom up, and put health, affordability and nutrition first. Similar to how utilities such as water and electricity are regulated, items in the National Nutritious Food Basket, such as apples, whole wheat flour, milk and eggs, should be available at every grocer at a price every household can afford. Although implementation may be complex, the government could work with relevant sectors to require grocers to make the foods from that basket available to everyone in Canada at a set price that every family in each region in Canada can afford.
We urge candidates to adopt this recommendation, while also looking forward to other steps they may propose to ensure everyone has the healthy food they need.