Food Resources
Food, a basic human necessity, is more often priced as a luxury. The high cost of housing, coupled with inadequate and low incomes, makes it difficult for some of us to properly feed our families. Other costs, such as transportation, insurance, emergencies, or medical needs are often covered at the expense of our food budgets, because that is often the only budget that you can control. On limited incomes, people tend to consume more carbohydrates, as they are less expensive to buy and quickly fill us up. However, everyone needs a well-balanced diet, to give us the nutrition required to fuel our bodies and minds. The following programs and services offer ways to stretch food budgets to include well-balanced and nutritious meals. There is also information about important foods and shopping tips to reduce expenses.
Those looking for emergency hunger relief and other meals, check out Information London’s Monthly meal calendar.
Community Food Programs
Getting and using fresh, nutritional food can be difficult on a low income. Available services offer help with the budgeting and planning of meals, and may include collective projects such as community kitchens and gardens. You can also visit the Middlesex Health Unit’s Food Insecurity webpage.
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You don’t need any prior knowledge about gardening, as experienced growers can help you plan, design, and care for your garden. The City of London has plots available throughout local neighbourhoods.
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Harvest Bucks are vouchers used to buy fresh vegetables and fruit at various locations in London. Harvest Bucks may be purchased by individuals or organizations. Sponsored Harvest Bucks are distributed as part of community programs that support healthy eating. Harvest Bucks is a partnership of London’s Child and Youth Network, Middlesex-London Health Unit, local businesses and other community organizations.
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A buying collective is a group of people (5 or more) who pool their money together to order groceries in bulk and deliver them to one specific site. The idea is that by pooling money, people can gain access to food at wholesale prices. The London Food Co-op offers the largest selection in London of high-quality, organic food and products at 18% above wholesale costs and carries items for specialty diets, vitamins, supplements, cleaning products, and hygiene products.
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Ontario Fresh provides an extensive list of CSAs and Pick-Your-Own Farms. Search for “Community Support Agriculture” to support local fresh produce or “Pick-Your-Own Farms” to go collect the produce yourself.
https://www.nutritionrx.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Local-Food-Directory.pdf
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The London Recreation Services Spectrum offers year-round sports and recreational programs for children and adults, including summer camps. All programs can be subsidized. However, you must provide a letter from a recognized Social Service agency to confirm your financial situation. You may still be asked to pay 50% or more of the costs. Programs occur in neighbourhoods throughout the whole city.
Local libraries carry copies of their current programs. You can also give them a call or visit their website (click on the headline) for listings. Visit the Play Your Way Fund webpage as well.
Tel: 519-661-5575
Email: recreation@london.ca
Address: 151 Dundas St., 3rd Floor, London, Ont. N6A 4L9
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A sit-down meal is provided to individuals and families at breakfast, lunch, and/or dinner time. Meals are provided free-of-charge or for a nominal fee. Please note that some programs operate for part of the year only. Schedules may change or special meals may be held during holidays or the summer.
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Meals on Wheels services prepare and deliver regular hot or frozen meals to the elderly or individuals with disabilities. Check the listings to find the service in your area.
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Food Banks usually provide a one to three day supply of food, once a month to once every three months, per individual or family. Proof of home address of identification for each family member may be required.
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It is important for us to know what our bodies need nutritionally, and how you can acquire that nutrition, particularly on a limited budget. Providing our bodies with proper nutrition improves physical and emotional healthy, energy, concentration, and other helpful brain functions. The Middlesex-London Health Unit offers free services that can help you assess your particular nutritional needs, and make suggestions to your meal planning and preparation.
Video and Recipe: Food for Health: Chili Recipe
The Western University NOW group of dedicated nutrition students from Brescia volunteering low-cost chili recipe (with variation) instruction for LIFE*SPIN.