Citizens are hungry but where’s the appetite for change?

Trevor's Take

Despite the amazing community response to Kawartha Lakes Food Source’s (KLFS) declaration of a state of emergency in late July of this year, there is still an overwhelming need within our community for food bank support.

In keeping with provincial and national trends, visits to KLFS member foodbanks are expected to increase by 3,000 visits or an almost 30 per cent year over year increase locally.

The factors that affect food prices are complex. Climate change, a lack of industry regulation, labour issues, inflation and global geopolitical conditions can all increase our total at the till. Add the insane skyrocketing cost of rent and recent inflation levels and we have a situation where some neighbours are unable to provide the proper nutrition for their families.

Canada’s most comprehensive analysis on the issue, The Canada Food Price Report, predicted that food price increases should ease with an anticipated 2.5 – 4.5 per cent increase in 2024. But for those experiencing food insecurity, this ‘decrease in the increases’ is hardly good news. The report, co-produced by Dalhousie and three other universities, estimates that a family of four will spend more than $16,000 on groceries this year. And because of price increases, most Canadians will be spending more and buying less.

And sorry to those people who like simple answers, but it’s not the carbon tax causing these problems. According to Statistics Canada, the carbon tax accounts for 0.3 per cent in food increases.

While this is a worldwide issue, there are lots of things that should be investigated and implemented nationally. Countries with a national food pricing code of conduct system experienced less food inflation than those that did not during the recent inflation cycle. And while I am sure that the five companies who control 80 per cent of our grocery industry are beyond repute (and that the whole bread-fixing fiasco was just a one-off) a growing number of Canadians want to see action on price fixing and increases to food competition.

Perhaps the most interesting immediate solution is from Foodbanks Canada, recently amplified by KLFS locally. They are calling for the creation of a food and essentials benefit to help struggling Canadians. (Hmm. A guaranteed income anyone?) The idea is that an immediate income-tested support system be put in place, using existing GST and individual government payment systems.

Increased training, more affordable housing and even price-gouging legislation are all key to the long-term solutions to food insecurity. No one should go hungry in our rich country. Children, who account for 50 per cent of food bank use in Canada, should not have to skip meals. This idea may not be perfect, but something must be done now.

Contact KLFS if you can help in any way. Signing the petition for a new benefit takes just seconds. Donate your time or money if you can. Because our neighbours shouldn’t go hungry.