HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 2009-10-14, Page 36Page 36 - Goderich Signal -Star, Wednesday, October 14, 2009
- Survey shows the price -tag
on eating healthy in Huron
41.
One week of healthy groceries for a
family of four in Huron County costs
$175.26. That's according to this year's
Nutritious Food Basket survey.
The Huron County Health Unit con-
ducts the survey every year. Six grocery
stores located throughout Huron Coun-
ty take part. The survey includes 67
food items from Canada's Food Guide
and is based on nutrition recommenda-
tions and the average eating patterns of
Canadians. The food items can be used
to prepare a week of nutritious meals.
Over the past decade,_ food costs in
Huron County have increased over 20%
and income levels haven't kept up. Pub-
lic Health Dietitian Amy MacDonald
says people living on low income levels
can't afford to purchase healthy foods
so they tend to purchase less expensive
filling foods that are often processed
and prepared. "Those foods tend to be
higher in calories, fat, sugar and sodi-
um. How can we expect someone living
on a low income to eat healthy, prevent
chronic disease like diabetes, heart dis-
ease, stroke, cancer, if they don't have
enough money to buy healthy foods?"
MacDonald says there are other nec-
essary living expenses that also make it
hard to make healthy food choices. She
adds, "If the rent, heat and hydro need
to be paid, you may have to choose
those over spending money on healthy
foods."
Items in the survey include fruits and
vegetables, meat, fish, poultry, eggs,
dairy products, bread, and cereal. Five
per cent is added to the weekly total to
cover items used in daily meal prepa-
ration. Items like "junk" food, paper
products, baby food, personal hygiene
or cleaning products are not included in
the survey. Since these items are not in-
cluded in the survey, it is likely that the
weekly grocery bill is actually higher.
The survey is done each year to track
the changes in food costs. This year's
results cannot be compared to last year
because of updates to how it is calcu-
lated. Community agencies can use the
results to determine if current minimum
wage and social assistance rates can
cover basic needs, like a healthy diet.
The Huron County Health Unit has
programs to help offset the cost of eat-
ing healthy. One of these programs is the
Good Food Box. Boxes of local produce
are available for everyone in the County,
regardless of income level, to purchase
once a month through the Health Unit and
at sites around the county.
To learn more about the Nutritious Food
Basket or the Good Food Box, contact the
Huron County Health Unit at 1-877-837-
6143.
Photo by Gerard Creces
Playing with your food
Nick Harman a Cub Scout, tries to showpeople how to have fun with eating
healthy during the Goderich Scout's Apple Day.
joined Hemi z & ne for health
reasons. The girls are great and they
explained everything clearly and kept
us motivated through our whole pro-
gram. The health
benefits from the program have been
excellent, since Ken lost 40 lbs and
1, Mary, lost 48 lbs. We have more
energy, and find we are able to move
around easier. We find walking fun
again, and enjoy the compliments that
we receive. This makes it all worth
while!! Thanks Herbal One!l"
kat great ler
ttekoliday
season!
519-524-7999
H EFR
16 Elgin Ave. W., Goderich
(the BIGGER little purple house)