You see it at the checkout counter and at the gas pump—prices for everyday essentials are climbing. For many in our community, this means budgets are stretched thinner than ever before. This financial pressure, a key factor in food insecurity in Canada, forces families to make difficult choices every single day.
Food insecurity is a complex issue driven by low incomes, the high cost of living, and physical barriers that prevent access to nutritious food. It’s not about a lack of food in our country, but a lack of resources to get that food onto the table consistently. Understanding these root causes and learning how to reduce your grocery bill is the first step toward building a community where everyone has enough to eat.
What Is Food Insecurity?
Food insecurity is more than just feeling hungry. It’s the stress and uncertainty of not knowing if you can provide enough healthy food for yourself or your family. It could mean skipping meals so your children can eat or relying on less nutritious options to stretch your budget.
A Look at the 4 Pillars of Food Security
To understand the full picture, it helps to look at 4 key elements. When one of these pillars is weak, a person’s food security is at risk.
- Availability: Is there a sufficient quantity of food available?
- Access: Can people afford and physically get to the food?
- Utilization: Do people know how to prepare nutritious meals with the food they have?
- Stability: Is access to food reliable over time, or is it easily disrupted?
An Example of Food Insecurity
Think about having to choose between paying rent on time and buying a week’s worth of groceries. This isn’t a hypothetical situation—it’s a real choice many of our neighbours face. This is often when community programs, like our Marketplace food bank, become a lifeline.
The Connection Between Low Income & Food Insecurity
The main reason people experience food insecurity in Canada is a lack of income. When money is tight, the grocery budget is often the first thing to be cut. Unlike a rent payment or a hydro bill, food costs can feel more flexible, even when they shouldn’t have to be. For many, their income falls well below the poverty line in Ontario, making every day a financial challenge.
Poverty & Underemployment
Having a job doesn’t always protect someone from food insecurity. Low wages or unpredictable hours can make it impossible to cover all your expenses. We see this daily with guests who come to us for support, some of whom also need access to information about other community supports Brampton offers.
Rising Cost of Living
The cost of living has risen dramatically, putting immense pressure on household budgets. We’ve seen this firsthand, with a 58% increase in visits to our Marketplace from 2023 to 2024. When everything costs more, there is simply less money left for food.
How Housing Costs Fuel Hunger
The lack of affordable housing is one of the biggest drivers of food insecurity in our community. When a large portion of your income goes directly to rent or a mortgage, little remains for other basic needs. This forces many to turn to community support to fill the gap.
The Rent or Groceries Dilemma
This is a stressful decision that no one should ever have to face. Yet, it’s a monthly reality for countless people in Brampton. The need for our Marketplace food bank often stems directly from the impossible choice between keeping a roof over your head and putting food on your table.
The Challenge for People Experiencing Houselessness
For neighbours experiencing houselessness, the challenges are even greater. Without a kitchen, a fridge, or a stable place to store food, accessing and preparing meals is incredibly difficult. This is why our daily meal program is so vital. It makes it much harder to break the cycle of food insecurity and poverty.
Physical Barriers to Accessing Food
Sometimes, the problem isn’t just financial. Even if a person can afford groceries, physical obstacles can stand in the way. These barriers can make it tough to get the nutritious food needed to stay healthy.
Food Deserts & Transportation
A “food desert” is an area where affordable, healthy food options are limited or nonexistent. If you rely on public transit and the nearest grocery store is several kilometres away, just getting to the store can be a major hurdle.
Health & Mobility Issues
Chronic health conditions or mobility challenges can make grocery shopping and cooking difficult tasks. For some, this can lead to a reliance on less healthy, processed foods. Our Essential Care Program helps bridge this gap by providing prepared meals and other necessities. For others, it can mean going without food altogether.
How You Can Help Your Neighbours in Brampton
Now that you understand some of the causes, you can be part of the solution. Your compassion and action can create real change for people in our community. Together, we can restore hope, purpose, and dignity.
Support Regeneration Outreach Community
Your donations help us provide warm meals, groceries, and other essentials to our neighbours. Every gift is an act of love that helps us create a welcoming and caring community. You can help us show every person that they are valued.
Consider Volunteer Work Brampton
Giving your time is one of the most powerful ways to make a difference. We have many opportunities for volunteering in Brampton, Ontario, from serving in our kitchen to helping in our Marketplace. Your hands-on help directly supports those who need it most.
Help Build a Brampton Where Everyone Belongs
At Regeneration Outreach Community, we are a caring community committed to walking alongside our neighbours with dignity and respect. When you support our work, you help build a Brampton where everyone feels they belong. Join us today to help restore hope and make a lasting impact.
