Cost of healthy food continues to rise

News Release
NWHU

The cost of buying healthy food in the region continues to climb according to the 2009 Nutritious Food Basket survey. The monthly cost of feeding a family of four reached $825.08 in 2009.
“Families in the Kenora-Rainy River Districts are finding it harder and harder to make ends meet as food costs rise and average incomes do not” says Julie Slack, Public Health Nutritionist with the Northwestern Health Unit.
Slack explains “the growing cost of food is a concern because average incomes are either staying the same or decreasing, leaving people with less money to spend on food and other basic needs”.
Since 1998, social assistance rates have increased only 5% and, despite increases, minimum wage remains below $10/hour. Slack continues, “After fixed living costs such as housing, child care, hydro, and gasoline are paid, families can’t afford the food needed to support good health.”
Every year the Northwestern Health Unit surveys grocery stores across the Kenora-Rainy River Districts to determine the cost of buying healthy food. In May 2009, 25 grocery stores participated in the Nutritious Food Basket survey. The Nutritious Food Basket includes 67 basic foods and is priced using the provincial government’s food costing tool.
The Northwestern Health Unit uses the annual survey results to advocate for living wage, increase access to affordable housing and quality child care, and to make healthy foods accessible to all.

What can you do to help?
• Get in the know about the root issues and where people can get help. Visit your local Northwestern Health Unit for a list of community food programs, voucher programs and information about eating well on a tight budget.
• Take action for measures to reduce the effects of poverty, such as living wage, affordable housing and childcare.
• Donate food, money or your time to programs that increase access to food like school meal and snack programs, community kitchens, community gardens, food banks and food boxes.
• Get involved in your community. People who do not have enough food to eat are single or married, young or old, working or unemployed, educated or not educated, and come from all walks of life. We can all help to ensure our community’s needs are met.

For more information contact your local Northwestern Health Unit office or visit
www.nwhu.on.ca.