The price of feeding a household within the capital rises greater than 20 per cent in the course of the pandemic, based on a brand new examine by Ottawa Public Well being.
It prices no less than $1,088 per 30 days to feed wholesome meals to a household of 4 within the metropolis, up from $901 in 2019, says Ottawa Public Well being’s 2022 Nutritious Meals Basket survey.
For these residing on Ontario Works monetary help, or for single individuals residing on the Ontario Incapacity Help Program revenue, paying for gadgets like vegatables and fruits means going into debt, the report discovered.
Researchers checked out 61 nutritious meals from numerous classes and tracked their costs at 14 shops in Ottawa — 12 in city areas and two in rural elements of the town — between Might 17 and June 6, 2022.
Meals was chosen utilizing the up to date Canada Meals Information and coated 4 classes: greens and fruit, protein meals, complete grains, and fat and oils. The examine didn’t embody toddler meals, processed meals or allergen-free meals.
This yr’s examine is the primary since 2019. Ottawa Public Well being suspended the survey in 2020 and 2021 because of the pandemic.
“The outcomes of the survey constantly present that people and households residing on fastened or low incomes do not need sufficient funds remaining on the finish of the month to afford their payments whereas additionally placing wholesome meals on the desk,” the 2022 examine discovered.
“Households typically select between paying for fastened bills (corresponding to hire and utilities), different requirements (corresponding to clothes, baby care, medicine, transportation, and dental care) and shopping for groceries.”
About one in seven households in Ottawa cannot afford wholesome meals, based on the report. These households typically face associated challenges corresponding to poor psychological well being, persistent well being circumstances and better charges of an infection, dangerous dental well being and harm, the examine mentioned.
Public well being officers made a variety of suggestions to make meals extra reasonably priced. The company is asking for extra social help advantages, jobs that pay a residing wage, a fundamental revenue, reasonably priced housing, public baby care, in addition to lowered revenue tax for low-income households.
Public well being officers additionally suggest free tax submitting assist within the metropolis.