Why Food Insecurity Matters to Public Health

Food insecurity is often visible as empty cupboards or skipped meals, but its root cause runs deeper. Across Oxford County, Elgin County, and the City of St. Thomas, more than 1 in 5 households experienced food insecurity in 2023–2024. At its core, it’s an income and affordability issue. 

“Household food insecurity means not having enough money to buy the food you need,” explains Kendall Chambers, Registered Dietitian at Southwestern Public Health. Rising costs for housing, transportation, childcare, and utilities leave food as one of the only flexible expenses in a tight budget, forcing people to cut back even when food is available in the community." 

A serious public health issue

Food insecurity affects health across the lifespan. Children and youth face higher risks of anxiety, developmental challenges, and chronic conditions. Adults are more likely to experience mental health concerns and diseases like diabetes and heart disease. For those managing chronic illness, irregular meals and financial stress can make health conditions worse over time. 

Local data shows the gap clearly. In 2025, the cost of eating a healthy diet for a family of four in the Southwestern Public Health region was $1,236 per month, before rent or other essentials are paid. 

Lived experience and front-line reality 

People experiencing food insecurity describe constant stress, careful planning, and difficult trade‑offs, worrying about running out of food, skipping meals, or being unable to afford foods that meet their health or cultural needs. 

Food banks and community meal programs remain essential, yet staff are seeing more first‑time visitors, including people who are employed full‑time. These services provide critical short‑term support, but they cannot address the income gaps driving demand. 

Hope in community action 

Despite these challenges, there is hope in the strength of community response.

“I see people helping people and it warms my heart,” says Sarah Cole, Head of Operations at the St. Thomas-Elgin Food Bank. “It shows you what a community should look like, and we have some wonderful volunteers and donors who are always showing up to do their part.” 

While emergency food programs play a vital role, lasting change comes from addressing the root causes. Adequate incomes, living wages, and policies aligned with the real cost of living help create conditions where everyone can meet their needs with dignity.

Food insecurity is not an individual failure, it is a population‑level health issue, and together, communities are working toward a future where everyone has enough.