2017 Cost of Healthy Eating report is out

North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit officials say the increase in minimum wage is a good start, but more policy measures are needed to reduce poverty rates, especially for those receiving social assistance.

The 2017 Cost of Healthy Eating report shows it’s costs a local family of four nearly $880 a month to eat a basic healthy diet.

That’s actually down about $5 from the 2016 report.

Still, the 2017 report says for those living with low incomes, there may not be enough money left at the end of the month to get by after paying for rent and food, let alone the other costs of living such as heat, hydro, transportation, telephone, and child care.

“When you don’t have enough money to buy food it impacts your health and well-being,” says Erin Reyce, Public Health Dietitian at the Health Unit. “Being food insecure increases the risk of developing diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and depression. Higher incomes will help prevent chronic diseases, and reduce health care spending.”

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