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www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Thursday, December 1, 2011 · 24 H Health Nutrition elusive for those on fixed income By Christina Commisso METROLAND WEST MEDIA GROUP A survey of Halton's grocery stores reveals those on a fixed income struggle to afford a nutritious diet month after month. The recently-released Price of Eating Well in Halton 2011 report, shows low-income residents fall short on their monthly finances, often having to forego healthy basics like fruits, vegetables, dairy and meat. "It's an alarming trend. Alarming in that people who are already having difficulty accessing healthy food at a reasonable costs, they're going to be more challenged," said Lynn Roblin, former chair of the Halton Food Council and a registered dietitian. The cost of a healthy food basket in Halton has gone up seven per cent since 2007 and 18 per cent in the last three years. Roblin said generally the cost of food is lower in Canada compared to the rest of the world, but that doesn't make it any easier for those struggling to keep up with bills in Halton. "I hate to say our food is low cost. It's not low cost. For some people, it's totally out of reach. In Canada, generally our food cost is pretty good, but the cost of eating is going up there's no doubt about it." Every year Halton's health department conducts a survey of six grocery stores in the region to price 67 food items and determine the average price for a nutritious diet. The 2011 report shows the cost of a healthy diet for a man, 31, on Ontario Works, is $249 a month. However, with a total monthly income of $635 and the average rent for a bachelor apartment in Halton at $798, the report shows the individual is $412 short every month to cover other basic expenses. produce to food banks, but often the donation will be of a single item, such as pears or apples. "So you're not going to get a variety. When we talk about fruits and vegetables, you want to have a variety in your diet," she said, adding dark orange and dark leafy green vegetables are particularly high in nutrients. Halton's Fresh Food Box program aims to make fruits and vegetables an affordable staple in diets. Launched in 2004, the program purchases produce in bulk and sells fresh food boxes at a reduced cost. "Our roots are from an anti-poverty coalition...people came together and asked what can we do to make an immediate difference in people's lives," said Brenda Moher, program director. While the program reaches out to priority groups -- those living on low incomes, seniors and new Canadians -- it also helps Halton's working poor. "In reality in Halton, because of the cost of housing, many people who make good wages would easily benefit from the Fresh Food Box program," said Moher. "On paper they may not look like low income, but by the time they've paid their mortgage, paid for utilities, met their basic needs, food becomes a discretionary budget item. It's a basic need but because all those other things take such a portion of your income, the money left to buy food is often what you dip into when you have an unexpected expense." Fresh Food Boxes are available in three sizes. A family size box costs $17 and comes with 15 different fruits and vegetables. "(The box) is something that clients pay for, so it's non-stigmatizing," added Moher. When the program started volunteers packed 160 boxes a month. Today, the box count is more than 700. Aiming to provide some of the area's most vulnerable residents with a healthy diet, Halton's ReFresh Foods is able to accept large donations of fresh food and store and redistribute it quickly. "Meat items are the most expensive and it's difficult for many families to afford," said Charlotte Redekop-Young, executive direction of Food for Life and ReFresh Foods. The organizations collect surplus perishable foods from grocery stores and restaurants and redistribute it to food banks and community agencies. "We're a complement to food banks," she said. Specializes in: Helping Families Every Step of the Way! · Fertility Issues · Low Back/Neck Pain · Sciatica · Posture · Osteoarthritis GRAHAM PAINE / OAKVILLE BEAVER VARIETY COUNTS: When planning meals, it's a variety of fruits and vegetables that is best. The same scenario rings tional value," states the true for minimum wage report. earners in Halton. An estimated 19,200 The report shows a family Halton residents experience of four with one parent a lack of food and turn to working a minimum wage food banks for help. But job ($10.25 an hour for 40 often, donated foods lack hours a week) would have important nutrients. $575 left over at the end of "Donated food is prothe month to cover basic cessed longer to have a lonliving expenses after paying ger shelf life," said Roblin. rent and purchasing a nutri- "(Food banks) are able to tious diet. accept it in large quantities "In reality, people usually and store it and redistribute choose to pay their rent and it to clients. If you don't have other fixed expenses, e.g. a place to store, wash and heat, hydro and transporta- distribute fresh food, it's a tion. 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