Niagara Faces Rising Food Insecurity Amid Housing Crisis

A recent policy brief has highlighted a significant rise in food insecurity in the Niagara Region, driven primarily by housing unaffordability. The report, titled Increasing Hunger in Niagara: The Need for Action, was published by the Brock University Niagara Community Observatory and authored by Joanne Heritz, an adjunct professor of political science. It reveals that many individuals and families are increasingly relying on meal services, in addition to traditional food banks, to meet their nutritional needs.

The brief indicates that the demand for such services is more widespread than previously understood. It focuses on 19 organizations that provide cooked meals in communal settings, serving over 358,000 congregate meals in 2024 alone. Heritz emphasized the troubling scale of the issue, stating, “When we start adding up the congregate meals that are served across Niagara, there’s just an alarming number of them that we should be aware of.”

Despite their collective efforts, these organizations often operate in isolation. While they may know of each other, there is little coordination among them, leading to a lack of comprehensive data about the total meals being provided. Heritz noted that some groups collaborate to offer meals on specific days, but overall, they are not aggregating the total meals served.

Alongside food banks, which have experienced a sharp increase in demand, congregate meal services are becoming an essential lifeline for many. The brief also highlights groups like Meals on Wheels, which delivered approximately 178,188 meals to vulnerable populations in 2024, an increase from 165,366 meals in the previous year. Additionally, various agencies provided 176,697 school lunches to students in need last year.

Most of the meal programs are designed to be low-barrier, meaning they do not require proof of income or need. While some critics argue that this flexibility allows for potential misuse, Heritz pointed out that instances of “meal-hopping” are minimal compared to the number of individuals genuinely in need. She stated, “For the very few people who might avail themselves to a program that they might not need, they’re in a very small minority compared to the number of people who really need these programs.”

The report also addresses the complex factors contributing to rising food insecurity, including an aging population that increasingly requires assistance with meal preparation. Many individuals can live independently but still struggle to cook for themselves. The dual crises of housing affordability and stagnant incomes exacerbate the situation, as many people are forced to live in inadequate conditions.

Heritz explained that rising rents often outpace income growth, leaving individuals with little to no funds for food after paying for housing. For instance, a single person on Ontario Works (OW) could spend up to 98% of their income on rent, leaving them with a negative balance for food expenses. “Even people who are making minimum wage aren’t making enough to cover the cost of housing,” she said.

The policy brief includes recommendations aimed at addressing the increasing demand for meal programs, categorized into federal, provincial, and local actions. Federal recommendations focus on implementing a standardized nationwide basic income and preventing the financialization of housing. At the provincial level, suggestions include raising OW and Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) levels. Locally, regional and municipal governments are encouraged to advocate for affordable housing solutions.

Heritz hopes future research can explore whether these congregate meals effectively meet the needs of those they serve and identify potential areas for improvement. “Future research would look at speaking with people who do visit these meal providers to find out what their situation is and what their needs are,” she said.

The growing reliance on meal services in Niagara underscores a critical issue that extends beyond food access; it highlights the broader challenges of housing and economic stability faced by many in the community. As the region continues to grapple with these interconnected crises, the need for coordinated action becomes ever more pressing.