An open letter and invitation from the Algoma Food Security Network
One in four households in Algoma are experiencing food insecurity. Local organizations are working hard to rescue and distribute food, but local effort alone cannot close the gap. We are inviting the Province of Ontario and the public to work with us on systemic solutions.
Why this matters now
Food insecurity continues to rise year over year as the cost of rent, food, and other essentials increases faster than incomes and benefits. Housing costs in Sault Ste. Marie and across Algoma have grown quickly while housing allowances and senior supports have not kept pace. Food insecurity is a symptom of poverty. Real progress requires action on incomes and housing alongside community food access.
Quick Facts for Algoma
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24.1 percent of households in Algoma experience food insecurity, higher than the Ontario average of 22.8 percent.
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A single person on Ontario Works faces a monthly deficit of $243 after paying for food and housing.
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Households with historical experiences of racism and colonialism, and more than half of those receiving social assistance, face the highest rates of food insecurity.
Health impacts across the lifespan
People in food insecure households are more likely to experience both physical and mental health conditions. This leads to greater use of health services, higher hospitalization rates, and elevated risk of premature death. Children in food insecure households are more likely to have poorer overall health, including higher risk for bone fractures, asthma, and mental health conditions such as social anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation.
Local Impact from the Network
- Connect the Dots Community Harvest has rescued more than 200,000 pounds of food since 2017. In 2025 alone, it has rescued over 130,000 pounds, which is a ten-fold increase over any previous year.
- Harvest Algoma distributed 287,600 pounds of food in 2024 and has already surpassed 424,600 pounds this year.
- Salvation Army Sault Ste. Marie provided over 240,000 meals and 36,000 food bank visits last year, and distributes an average of 43,000 pounds of food each month.
- Soup Kitchen Community Centre served 34,620 lunches and grew 12,000 pounds of produce through its Food Bank Farm Project.
- St. Vincent Place distributed 125,000 pounds of food and 16,000 meals, serving thousands of individuals, most living on ODSP or Ontario Works.
What we are asking the Province to do
- Recognize food insecurity as both a public health and an economic issue, with coordination across Health, Children, Community and Social Services, and Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness.
- Double Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program rates, a plus 100 percent increase, and index both programs to inflation.
- Develop a renewed poverty reduction strategy with measurable targets to reduce food insecurity and improve the financial stability of very low income households.
- Invest in regional food systems and community food hubs that increase access to healthy food and reduce waste, including food rescue logistics and infrastructure.
- Strengthen provincial housing policy, address homelessness with a coordinated approach, and stabilize funding for affordable and supportive housing.
- Fund long term community partnerships that bridge food access, education, and local economic development.
Voices from our community
Lauren Moran, Harvest Algoma
“Families across Algoma are making impossible choices, whether to pay rent or buy food, our organizations are doing everything we can, but we can’t solve this without meaningful action from the Province. Food insecurity is not a short-term challenge. It is a long-term symptom of poverty that requires systemic change.”
Tim Kelly, Connect the Dots Community Harvest
“Over the last few years, our community has taken great strides to help ensure that good food is available to all of those in need in our community, and to reduce the amount of good food going to landfill. There are a number of other groups working in the food rescue area, and we are actively collaborating and optimizing our efforts..”
Ron Sim, Soup Kitchen Community Centre
“We see firsthand how hard people are trying to make ends meet. The demand for food has grown beyond anything we’ve seen before, and many of the people coming through our doors are working but still can’t afford to put enough food on the table. That should not be acceptable anywhere in Ontario. We need solutions that deal with the root causes, not just the symptoms.”
How you can help today
- Email your MPP. Share your support for the open letter and the recommendations above (share this page!).
- Donate food or funds. Your support helps local organizations keep shelves stocked and meals prepared.
- Share this page. Amplify the message so more people can take action.
Who we are
The Algoma Food Security Network unites organizations that form the backbone of our region’s food support system: Connect the Dots Community Harvest, Harvest Algoma, Kinoomaagewin – Niigaaniin Services, Salvation Army Sault Ste. Marie, Soup Kitchen Community Centre, and St. Vincent Place, with support from Algoma Public Health and Social Services Sault Ste. Marie.
Together, we coordinate food rescue, distribution, and community programming, and advocate for policies that address the causes of food insecurity. Our collaboration is built on shared data, shared resources, and shared determination.
Media contact
David Thompson
Chair, Algoma Food Security Network
Email: dthompson@ssmic.com
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