A surprising number of residents of Huron-Perth are experiencing food insecurity, according to the United Way’s director of the Social Research & Planning Council.
The matter was discussed at a recent Huron County council meeting.
Kristin Crane said 62 per cent of people who responded to their recent survey were fully employed but still food insecure.
“If wages are higher, that reaches, in terms of our survey, 62 per cent of individuals,” she said, adding that better wages are the key to food security. “So, paying living wages rather than focusing on minimum wage. That is a start because that is an income that will meet everyday basic needs.”
Crane said the 62 per cent figure is particularly surprising given the amount of food that is produced in Huron and Perth counties.
Crane suggests other solutions like lowering other costs by providing more affordable housing or reducing the costs of daycare or healthcare. She says if those costs can be reduced, there would be more money available for food. But she adds, all of those things do take time.
“And then there’s folks who are unable to work and that would mean increasing the rates that are paid for anyone who is on income supports (and) social assistance. If those are increased then that helps the folks that are unable to work,” she said.
