Priority Issue: Household Food Insecurity

Call to Action

Dietitians of Canada urges the federal government to develop and implement economic policies that address the serious issue of household food insecurity affecting millions of Canadians. There are a range of potential solutions that can align with the economic agenda of any political party.

The Problem

Household food insecurity is a serious and growing public health crisis in Canada. In 2022, nearly one in five households (17.8%) in all ten provinces experienced some level of food insecurity.
As Canadians continue to face rising costs of living and economic uncertainty, political parties must prioritize income-based solutions—such as basic income programs and poverty-reducing measures—and provide targeted support for Indigenous food systems.
Addressing this crisis will improve health outcomes, reduce strain on our healthcare systems, and advance health equity across the country.

What is Household Food Insecurity (HFI)?

• HFI is the inadequate or insecure access to food due to financial constraints. It’s a serious, avoidable public health issue that results from insufficient household income.
• HFI leads to poor physical and mental health outcomes, increasing the burden on Canada’s already overextended healthcare system.
• HFI disproportionately affects racialized and Indigenous households, reflecting systemic inequities and the legacy of settler colonialism.
• Charitable food programs and community food initiatives cannot address the root causes of HFI—economic interventions are essential.
• The risk of food insecurity decreases significantly with higher household income, with severe food insecurity dropping from 10% at incomes between $40,000–$50,000 to 4% at incomes between $70,000–$80,000.

The Impact on Canadians

• In 2022, there were 312,000 more food-insecure households than in 2021.
  • Half were families with children under 18, the highest rate recorded in 17 years.
• Atlantic provinces, Alberta, and Saskatchewan have the highest rates of food insecurity (between 20% and 23%).
• Ontario has the largest number of people living in food-insecure households, totaling over 2.8 million.
• Individuals experiencing severe food insecurity are 1.4 times more likely to die prematurely, and rates of chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure increase as food insecurity worsens.

The Impact on Canada’s Healthcare System

• Between 2011 and 2017, $6.2 billion of the $155 billion spent on acute healthcare was attributed to the excess costs of food insecurity.
• Adults in food-insecure households are more likely to:
  • Delay or skip medications to manage finances, leading to worsening health outcomes.
  • Visit emergency departments, require hospitalization, and experience longer hospital stays.
• Food insecurity is linked to developmental impairment, chronic physical illnesses, and serious mental health conditions.

Our Ask

The federal government must take bold, income-based action to eliminate household food insecurity in Canada. Prioritizing economic policy solutions will improve the health and well-being of Canadians, reduce healthcare system strain, and advance equity and social justice.

What you can do to learn more or get involved