Food insecurity now affecting one in four households in region, committee told

Casandra Turnbull

Managing Editor

Food insecurity is no longer simply about access to food. It is increasingly becoming a broader affordability issue affecting thousands of households across the region, members of the County of Brant’s Administration and Operations Committee heard Thursday. 

Representatives from Grand Erie Public Health (GEPH) appeared before the committee to raise awareness about growing rates of food insecurity across the region and encourage support for a municipal strategy document aimed at addressing underlying causes.

Councillor John Bell introduced the delegation, noting public health officials have a responsibility to advocate on issues that affect community well-being.

“In 2025, the City of Brantford declared food insecurity an emergency,” Bell told committee members. “The GEPH estimates the living wage in our region is $21.40, which is in excess of the Ontario minimum wage, so already you can see a problem there.” 

Deanna Renn, manager of community health, and Lisa Vermeersch, a public health dietitian with GEPH, presented regional data spanning Brant County, Brantford, Haldimand and Norfolk counties.

Food insecurity was defined as inadequate or insecure access to food due to a lack of money. 

Vermeersch said local household food insecurity rates have climbed sharply in recent years, with 25.4 per cent, roughly one in four households in the Grand Erie Public Health region, experiencing food insecurity in 2023-24. That marked a significant increase from rates recorded just a few years earlier.  The presentation highlighted food insecurity as a public health issue linked to higher risks of chronic illness and poorer health outcomes. Adults in food insecure households are more likely to experience conditions including hypertension, depression, chronic pain and heart disease. 

Vermeersch said the issue can no longer be viewed solely through the lens of food access.

‘There are a lot of great food charities in the region, which we are fortunate to have,’ she told committee. “But if we use food charity as the sole solution to address food insecurity, nothing will change.” 

Instead, GEPH is focusing on root causes, with evidence suggesting income-based responses are most effective. The presentation noted households experiencing food insecurity prioritize housing and other essential costs over food when financial pressures increase. An example shared during the presentation outlined the circumstances of a single person receiving Ontario Works, showing rising costs continue to worsen affordability pressures for residents relying on social assistance. 

Councillor David Miller said he was struck by the increase shown in the report.

“I think it’s important you are raising awareness to this issue,” said Miller. “What do you think caused this massive spike in two years?,” he asked of the jump from 15% to 25.4%.

Vermeersch said the increase reflects broader economic conditions.

“It’s a reflection of the economy as a whole,” she said. 

Bell later pointed to examples included in the report illustrating challenges faced by individuals on social assistance.

“If you take the time to read the other examples, you’d be really troubled by what you read there,” Bell said. 

Bell, who sits on the Joint Social Services Committee, said he recently brought forward a motion asking the province to increase Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program rates, which he said have remained largely unchanged for years.

Bell said failing to address gaps in social supports now could lead to greater long-term pressures on the health-care system and future generations.

Bell then introduced a motion asking the county to endorse GEPH’s “Primer for Municipalities on Food Insecurity in the Grand Erie Public Health Region,” a document containing nine evidence-based recommendations and strategies municipalities can adopt to improve affordability and address food insecurity. 

While Miller said he agreed with the proposed solutions, he opposed the motion.

“I won’t support the motion because I don’t think food insecurity is a problem. It’s a symptom,” he said. “It’s a symptom of a wider problem and that problem is affordability.” 

“I agree with the solution — it’s an income problem.”

Committee members ultimately approved the motion with support from all councillors except Miller.