Cost of Eating in Alberta
A healthy diet is not in the budget for many Alberta families
March 3, 2009
Calgary, Alberta—- With the declining economic situation in the news, it should not be a surprise to find that a healthy diet is beyond the grasp for many Alberta families. According to the Cost of Eating in Alberta 2008 report authored by Dietitians of Canada and the Alberta Community/Public Health Nutritionists Committee, and endorsed by the Growing Food Security in Alberta Network, it costs $773.94 to feed a family of four each month – 10% higher than the cost of the same food basket priced only six months before. At the same time family incomes for people on minimum wage and social assistance have not kept pace with these rising costs….
The report chronicles the plight faced by six different low income households in six Alberta communities. In almost all of these accounts, the costs of food and housing exceeded what is considered affordable and the combined cost of basic needs exceeded household income. Food is the only flexible cost in the budget for many families, especially those who rely on income assistance and minimum wage, so there is little or no money left for food after paying for basic needs like rent, utilities and transportation.
The cost of food, combined with that of housing, transportation and childcare leaves a single mother of two children earning minimum wage with a monthly debt exceeding $600 in some Alberta communities.
Recently the provincial government has taken some action to ease the struggle of low income households. In 2007 the Alberta Housing and Eviction Prevention Fund was established for households in a housing crisis and the minimum wage was increased to $8.40 an hour in 2008. However, for many families trying to purchase healthy food and pay the rent while living on a low income the situation remains dire. Since access to healthy food for lower income families is so closely tied to income, dietitians are calling for actions that will help to increase the income available to these families such as a living wage, affordable housing and reasonably priced childcare.
Dietitians of Canada is the national professional association representing almost 6000 dietitians in Canada who are recognized food and nutrition health professionals serving the public as educators, policy makers, researchers and managers. For trusted information on nutrition and healthy eating and to register to receive DC’s regular nutrition updates, visit Dietitians of Canada website.