MOH Calls for Higher Rates for Social Assistance to Improve Food Security

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 22, 2005

 Perth County:  Perth’s Medical Officer of Health is joining with the
Ontario Coalition Against Poverty in a call for higher rates for people on
social assistance. Dr. Rosana Pellizzari calls for a rate hike so that
people on social assistance can afford the cost of a healthy diet. In all
provinces, minimum wages and social assistance rates are well below poverty
levels.

 “The current benefits do not leave enough money for food after paying for
basic needs like rent and utilities,” says Dr. Pellizzari. Food costs are
usually a flexible part of a household budget, she explains. When money is
tight, families on social assistance may try to eat less expensive food,
skip meals or eat less. It is estimated that 7.5% of households (over
5,400) in Perth County are living in poverty.

 In Perth County, the Health Unit uses a provincial tool called the
Nutritious Food Basket to measure the cost of a healthy diet. In 2004, a
weekly nutritious food basket for a family of four in Perth County cost
$122.62. The Basket is a list of low-cost healthy foods that the average
family would eat. It includes items like fruit, meats, cereals, rice,
noodles, milk and cheese. It does not include non-food items like detergent
and toilet paper.

 “Food security is an issue for many people on social assistance,” says Dr.
Pellizzari. Food security refers to the physical and economic access to
sufficient, safe and nutritious food. Research shows that people in
food-insecure households are at increased nutritional risk and have poorer
health.

 Income is one of the most important health determinants. Research shows
that eating a nutritious diet helps fight chronic illnesses such as types
of cancer, type 2 diabetes and heart disease. “Eating well is essential to
leading a healthy and productive life,” says Dr. Pellizzari. “If children
and families cannot afford to eat well, then their health is at risk.”

 Currently, people on social assistance can qualify for up to $250 more per
month if they have special diet needs due to a medical condition. Since
February 2005 in Toronto, OCAP has organized “special diet clinics” where
health professionals will help OW and ODSP recipients access this “Special
Diet Supplement”. About 2,000 people have been through the clinics so far
and the City of Toronto is taking measures to put a stop to it. While Dr.
Pellizzari doesn’t agree with the tactic of OCAP, she sees the clinics as
an act of desperation for people in need. “The clinics are unfortunately
downplaying the additional difficulties faced by those who  truly need
extra money for a special diet to manage a chronic medical condition like
celiac disease or diabetes.”

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