The Grey Bruce Health Unit has gathered the statistics for the Annual Nutritious Food Basket for 2017. Public Health Dietitian Laura Needham says this year the average cost of feeding a family of four is $203. a week. She says at over $10,500. a year, many residents don't have enough money left over to buy the food they need.
She explains that means many people are going hungry and face health issues associated with improper nutrition.
She points out the region has 21 food banks, 18 Good Food Box sites, 72 student nutrition programs, and many other supports to combat food insecurity. But she says those are just temporary assistance, and not long-term solutions.
She says Ontario's Basic Income Guarantee Pilot Project is a good start.
