The Cost of Eating in Northwestern Ontario

Each year, the Northwestern Health Unit does a survey of grocery stores in the region to determine the cost of eating well in Northwestern Ontario. We share these results with the community, other services providers and local politicians in order to raise awareness and push for increased social assistance and policies that support individuals to live in dignity. No one should ever need to choose between food or rent. Access to healthy, affordable, and culturally appropriate food is a right.

Sharing an email circulated by one of my amazing co-workers:

The struggle to put healthy food on the table is a reality for many people and families in northwestern Ontario. Each year the Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU) surveys grocery stores in our region to determine the cost of healthy food.  According to the 2016 Nutritious Food Basket results the cost per month to feed a family of four is $1018.20. This is an increase of 11.1% since 2010.

As the cost of living increases, incomes are not keeping pace. There is a misconception that the (increasing) cost of food is the reason why families/people can’t afford healthy foods.  The real issue is that minimum wage and social assistance rates are not keeping pace with the increasing food (and everything else like rent, hydro, gas, etc.) costs. Since 2010, minimum wage has increased only 9.8%.

Check out the health unit website for more info. 

 Infographic from Northwestern Health Unit website.

Want to learn more? Check out the links below.

•  CommunityFood Programs listing for each community (available on our website)
• Food Choices when Money is Tight fact sheets (download from Eat Right Ontario)
• Position Statement on Responses to Food Insecurity - The Position Statement discusses the growing problem of household food insecurity in Ontario and the urgent need to advocate for income responses to effectively address food insecurity
• Income-Related Policy Recommendations to Address Food Insecurity - The document provides a detailed analysis of three policy areas (basic income guarantee, adequate social assistance, and reducing precarious employment) that address the root cause of food insecurity. This document accompanies the Position statement on the Responses to Food Insecurity and the Food Insecurity Infographic.
• OSNHPP Infographic: