Program Manager Jillian Gumbley of the Hastings Prince Edward Health Unit, April 5, 2017 (Photo: Mary Thomas/Quinte News)
The average cost of a basic nutritious diet for a family of four in Hastings and Prince Edward counties has jumped 13% over the past five years.
This means a family of four must now spend $1,397 more this year than they did for the same groceries in 2011.
This is a concern for a number of agencies.
A report to the Hastings Prince Edward Board of Health Wednesday presented statistics showing such a family relying on Ontario Works pay would have $204 left at the end of the month, for other expenses.
Another report shows 13.8% are food insecure, higher than the provincial average of just under 12%.
Program manager Jillian Gumbley says some provincial moves in the works could help.
Gumbley says the Poverty Roundtable of Hastings and Prince Edward and the Food Security Network are looking at four areas, including skills building and acute response.
