The Cost of Eating Well
Every year, we visit local grocery stores to determine the cost of eating well using the Nutritious Food Basket.
In 2024, the monthly cost of following Canada's Food Guide for a family of four in our district was $1,243.
Year after year, results show it is very difficult, in some cases impossible, for low-income households to pay for the costs of living, including food.
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Check out the Food Insecurity and Food Affordability in Ontario report and infographic (April 2025) from Public Health Ontario and Ontario Dietitians in Public Health to learn more about monitoring food affordability in Ontario.
What is Household Food Insecurity?
It means a household doesn’t have enough money for food.
It can range from worrying about running out of food, to filling up on cheaper, less nutritious foods, to skipping meals.
It’s a serious public health problem.
Over 1 in 3 households in our district experience household food insecurity.
Living with household food insecurity can lead to higher risk of many chronic health issues in adults, such as:
- diabetes
- heart disease
- chronic pain
- poor oral health
- depression
- anxiety
It’s hard to manage chronic conditions without enough money for food.
Children are also at greater risk for health problems, particularly mental health problems that can last into adulthood.
It's an income problem.
Households who struggle to pay for food, also struggle to pay for the other costs of living. The compromises these households make because they don't have enough money go far beyond food related decisions.
2024 Income Scenarios |
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These scenarios show the cost of eating well and local rent rates, compared with various household types and sources of income. |
Food-based programs do not reduce household food insecurity because it is an income problem much bigger than just food.
Taking Action
Share this information about food insecurity and help break down myths about people living in poverty.
Talk to local decision-makers about income policy solutions, like:
At the Health Unit, we’re involved in ongoing public health advocacy. Below are some examples of our advocacy efforts about the need for income solutions to reduce household food insecurity in Ontario.
