Tuesday, November 17, 2015
Perth County – The Nutritious Food Basket Survey is conducted annually by all public health units in Ontario to measure the cost of basic, healthy eating. In Perth County, six local grocery stores were visited to find out the average total cost of buying 67 healthy food items, such as vegetables, fruit, meat, bread, eggs and milk. This is called a “nutritious food basket.”
In 2015, a nutritious food basket for a family of four in Perth County costs $210.99 every week. The cost is an increase of $16.45 per week from 2014.
“This annual survey repeatedly shows that people with low incomes struggle to afford enough healthy food for themselves and their families,” says Natalee Ridgeway, Public Health Dietitian. “People must often pay fixed expenses like rent and hydro first, leaving little left for food. This may result in skipping meals, buying cheaper, less nutritious foods, and food insecurity.”
In Perth County, 1 in 5 low income households is food insecure. Food insecurity is linked to difficulty learning, poorer mental health, and increased risk of chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease.
What can you do to help?
- Volunteer to support local programs, such as community meals, food banks, the Local Community Food Centre, and school nutrition programs
- Donate a variety of non-perishable food, toiletry items, or money to food banks on a regular basis
- Support the local economy by buying local food and products
- Talk to others and local politicians about issues of poverty and hunger in our community.
For More Information
- Call Health Line at 519-271-7600 ext 267 or toll-free at 1-877-271-7348 ext 267
- Visit pdhu.on.ca
- Follow us www.twitter.com/@pdhealthunit and www.facebook.com/pdhealthunit