The questions are in the file.
The Cost of Eating Well in Perth County Audience This report is intended for the Board of Health of the Perth District Health Unit, health unit staff, people working in social services, and advocacy groups. It can be used to help define the intent of the Nutritious Food Basket survey, which is to increase awareness of food affordability issues, and to help advocate for adequate income and food for everyone. Background to the Nutritious Food Basket In May 2010, the Perth District Health Unit priced the cost of a healthy diet by surveying six grocery stores located across Perth County. Using a survey tool called the Nutritious Food Basket – a list of low cost, healthy foods that the average family would probably eat – the Health Unit was able to gather new information about the availability and affordability of food in the County. The Ontario Public Health Standards, 2008, requires boards of health to monitor food affordability in accordance with the Nutritious Food Basket (NFB) Protocol. The nutritious food basket is a survey tool that is a measure of the cost of basic healthy eating which represents current nutrition recommendations and average food purchasing patterns. The survey has been completed annually by all Health Units in the province of Ontario since 1999. In 2009, the tool was changed to reflect an example of an eating pattern that meets the updated 2007 Canada’s Food Guide and that reflect the eating behaviours of the Canadian Community Health Survey 2.2 results. A complete list of the foods surveyed appears on Health Canada’s website for the National Nutritious Food Basket . The 67 foods surveyed included are: Vegetables and Fruit Orange Vegetables and Fruit Dark Green Vegetables Whole Grains/ Whole Wheat Products Non Whole Grain Products Milk and Milk Alternatives Meat, Poultry, Legumes, Eggs and Fish Changes made to the 2009 food basket include, but are not limited to, the removal of less healthy foods, such as wieners and macaroni and cheese, and the addition of more healthful foods, such as cantaloupe and sweet potato. Foods containing higher amounts of fat and sugar were dropped from the tool. These changes are consistent with the latest research linked to good health. Additional changes were made to reflect changes in package sizes and availability of products. Items in the Nutritious Food Basket reflect the lowest price available in that store in a specified purchase size, regardless of brand. The total cost includes an additional calculation of 5% to cover common food items used in meals (spices, seasonings, condiments, baking supplies, soups, coffee and tea). The food items on the survey do require some food preparation skills. The survey does not make allowances for special dietary needs of individuals, differences in activity levels, or cultural food choices. It does not allow for eating out or inviting friends or other family members over for a meal. The Nutritious Food Basket does not include processed convenience foods, snack foods, foods of little nutritional value, or purchases commonly made at grocery stores like laundry detergent, toilet paper, or soap. On May 25, 26 and 27, 2010, two Community Health summer students under the direction of a Public Health Dietitian from the Perth District Health Unit conducted food pricing in six grocery stores across the Perth County as instructed in the updated Nutritious Food Basket Protocol . The food prices are used to estimate the average cost of feeding up to 22 different age and gender groups and a reference family of four (a man and woman each aged 31 to 50 years; a boy, 14 to 18 years of age; and a girl, four to eight years old). The average cost of the nutritious food basket for 2010 can be compared to 2009 survey as the same survey tool was used. The 2009 survey results will continue to be the baseline for comparison with results of future surveys. The results also allow the Health Unit to assess the adequacy of social assistance and minimum wage incomes in meeting basic household needs. This information can form the basis of addressing local poverty and hunger issues through awareness, education, advocacy, and policy development. The Nutritious Food Basket Results How much does it cost to feed a family? In 2010, an average family of four, (a man and woman each aged 31 to 50 years; a boy, 14 to 18 years of age; and a girl, four to eight years old) living in Perth County needs $169.55 a week to buy the complete list of basic food items in the Nutritious Food Basket, to meet their minimum nutrition recommendations. In 2009 the same family needed $164.88 to purchase all the items in the survey basket. The difference between 2009 and 2010 represents an increase of 2.8% The consumer price index, published by Statistics Canada, reports that the cost of food purchased from stores rose 0.8% in May 2010, compared with May 2009 . For those who must follow a strict budget, the choice is not between a generic and name brand product. It means the choice between food and hunger. Trends of Time Food costs have risen over time. From 2003 to 2008, in Ontario costs have increased 11.36% to feed a reference family of four. Provincial social assistance rates have not seen the same increase. In 1995, rates were cut by 21.6%, while the cost of rent and food has continued to increase. While there have been increases in social assistance rates in the past 10 years, they have not made up for what was cut in 1995. Of all Perth County residents, single-parent families and individuals receiving financial assistance are impacted the most by increasing costs. It is impossible for some social assistance recipients to pay all necessary expenses and have enough money left to eat a nutritious diet. It has been shown that poverty is a significant hazard to health . Cost Depends on Age and Gender The Perth County Nutritious Food Basket prices are based on the nutrient needs of people at different stages in their lives. The cost of eating well is often lower for women than men. Women are generally smaller than men are and need less food to meet their energy and nutrient needs. It is important to remember that even though women may need less food, the foods should be nutrient dense. Pregnant and breastfeeding women have higher nutrient and energy needs compared to the average woman. Children and teens grow rapidly, therefore they have higher energy and nutrient needs relative to their body sizes than adults. Children and teens may need proportionally more food than adults to support optimal growth and development. The Weekly Cost of the Nutritious Food Basket in Perth County Nutritional needs vary by age, gender, growth and lactation and the weekly food costs reflect these differences. The following table from Eating Well with Canada’s Food Guide helps to illustrate these differences, as the number of servings in each food group is dependent on the age, gender, and life stage. Pregnant and breastfeeding women need an extra 2 to 3 Food Guide Servings per day. Children Teens Adults Age in Years 2-3 4-8 9-13 14-18 19-50 51+ Sex Girls and Boys Females Males Females Males Females Males Vegetables and Fruit 4 5 6 7 8 7-8 8-10 7 7 Grain Products 3 4 6 6 7 6-7 8 6 7 Milk and Alternatives 2 2 3-4 3-4 3-4 2 2 3 3 Meat and Alternatives 1 1 1-2 2 3 2 3 2 3 Household food costs vary depending on household size. The fewer people living in a household, the higher the cost is per person. This is due to a variety of factors including higher cost per unit when purchasing smaller volumes and increased food wastes. The following table displays base weekly food costs. Cost adjustments for household size are on page 6. Approximate Cost Per Week ($)* Individual Age (in years) Male Female Child 2-3 22.47 22.04 4-8 28.96 28.11 Pre-teens and Adolescents 9-13 38.44 32.90 14-18 54.20 39.32 Adults 19-30 52.26 40.46 31-50 47.22 40.02 51-70 45.73 35.52 Over 70 45.27 34.92 Pregnancy 18 & Younger 43.85 19-30 44.19 31-50 43.12 Lactation 18 & Younger 45.65 19-30 46.87 31-50 45.80 *Five percent has been added to the figures to cover the cost of miscellaneous items used in everyday meal preparation such as spices, baking supplies, tea, and coffee. Calculating Weekly Food Costs for Households People can use this information to estimate the weekly cost of a nutritious diet for their household. An example is provided below. Example Sex Age Approximate Cost Man 42 $ 47.22 Woman 39 $ 40.02 Boy 14 $ 54.20 Girl 8 $ 28.11 Subtotal = 169.55 X 0 ______ = adjustment $ 169.55 TOTAL Cost/Week Your Household Sex Age Approximate Cost Subtotal = X 0 ______ = adjustment TOTAL Cost/Week Step 1: Write down the gender and age of each person in the household. Step 2: Using Table 1 on page 4, write down the weekly food cost for each person. Step 3: Add the weekly food costs together and record in subtotal section. Step 4: Adjustments to the cost can be made for families smaller or larger than four. Multiply the subtotal by the adjustment factor for household size to calculate the total cost for your family. If the household has: 1 person multiply by 1.20 2 people multiply by 1.10 3 people multiply by 1.05 4 people make no change 5-6 people multiply by 0.95 7+ people multiply by 0.90 Step 5: To determine the household’s monthly food cost, multiply the household’s weekly food cost by 4.33