A family of four has to shell out almost $250 a week in order to eat in our region.
That’s according to a new report from Huron Perth Public Health that found the cost to feed an average family works out to $1,076 a month.
That figure doesn’t include non-food items such as toiletries, personal care items, or cleaning products.
The Real Cost of Eating in Huron and Perth Report shows different income scenarios and the percentage of income a household would need to spend on food.
For example, a family of four receiving Ontario Works in Huron Perth would need to spend 39 per cent of their income on food to meet the recommendations in Canada’s Food Guide.
That would leave only $261 each month for all other expenses, not including rent.
The cost of groceries was determined by calculating the average retail price of 59 food items from Canada’s Food Guide at six local grocery stores.
In 2022 a new tool was used to monitor food affordability and therefore the results cannot be compared to previous years.
“Not having enough money affects people’s ability to buy food. They often have to choose between paying rent, paying for utilities, and buying food,” says Candace Cunningham, Registered Dietitian at HPPH. “What is very concerning is that when people can’t afford to buy enough food, they are more likely to have poorer health.”
The report also includes several recommendations for addressing the issue like Implementing a Basic Income Guarantee, increasing social assistance and disability pension rates, and implementing a Living Wage.
New report finds many struggling to afford to eat in the Stratford region - My Stratford Now
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