9.4% of households report food insecurity

The Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit released its annual cost of eating report. The organization says the results show that low-income individuals and families struggle to buy food after paying rent, bills and other living expenses. 

A total of 6,449 households, or 9.4%, in Leeds, Grenville and Lanark reported some level of food insecurity, according to the Health Unit. The data was taken from the 2017 Canadian Community Health Survey. 

Marie Traynor, Registered Dietitian and Public Health Nutritionist, says food insecurity is not having enough money to buy healthy food. She noted this can lead to skipped meals, poor mental, physical and oral health, along with a greater risk of chronic disease.  

The Health Unit says addressing food insecurity will likely decrease use of the health care system. For more information about health eating, click here.