Food is a Human Right: Why 1 in 3 Londoners are Being Left Behind.

In a city as prosperous as London, Ontario, no one should have to choose between paying rent and buying groceries. Yet, today, nearly 1 in 3 of our neighbours are facing food insecurity. At the London Food and Wellness Hub, we believe that access to nutritious, culturally appropriate food is not a privilege, it is a fundamental human right. This post explores why our community is at a breaking point and how we can work together to build a city where everyone has the dignity of a full plate.

The Impossible Math of 2026

Let’s look at the numbers in London today. The Ontario Living Wage Network now lists the living wage for our region at $19.50 - $21.05/hour. However, with the provincial minimum wage sitting at $17.60, a full-time worker is short hundreds of dollars every single month. When an average one-bedroom apartment in London costs roughly $1,700, food becomes the only flexible expense. People are not just budgeting poorly; they are facing a math problem that has no solution without community intervention.

Why Food Insecurity is a Health Crisis

According to the Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU), food insecurity is a primary Social Determinant of Health. It’s not just about a rumbling stomach; it’s about the increased risk of chronic diseases, high blood pressure, and mental health challenges like severe anxiety and depression. When we say food is a human right, we are also saying that health is a human right. By providing whole, nutritious foods, we are helping our neighbours avoid long-term health crises before they start.

The Changing Face of Hunger

The data from the 2025 HungerCount report shows a startling shift: nearly 20% of food bank users in Ontario are now people with full-time jobs. In London, we are seeing more two-parent families and seniors accessing food banks than ever before. Hunger in our city no longer looks like one specific group; it looks like the person in line behind you at the grocery store or your next-door neighbour. We are all closer to this crisis than we think.

A Message from Our Founder

🌿Keyoma is the Founder of the London Food and Wellness Hub. A passionate advocate for food justice in London, Ontario, she started the Hub to transform food access into a fundamental human right. When she is not advocating for policy change or organizing community wellness workshops, you can find her visiting local markets.

Ready to Make an Impact? 

We are currently looking for dedicated advocates to join our team. Because we are committed to creating a safe and high-impact environment, we are currently moving through a formal screening process for all new volunteers