Professional Documents
Culture Documents
December 2009
Why do dietitians publish The Cost of Eating in BC report?
The purpose of the report is to bring attention to the fact that not all residents
of British Columbia have enough money to purchase healthy food.
The facts in BC:
• The 2009 monthly cost of the nutritious food basket for a family of four is $872
• A family of four on income assistance would need more than 100% of their income
for shelter and food only
• Food and shelter costs have increased significantly over the past decade, while income
assistance rates have remained virtually unchanged and minimum wage has not increased
• Unemployment is rising. October’s jobless rate was 8.3%, the highest it has been since
September 2003. Youth, particularly aboriginal youth, and women had the greatest increases
in unemployment1
• The number of clients receiving income assistance and expected to work increased by 52% from
September 2008 to September 2009. The number of dependent children in families receiving
assistance increased by more than 20% over the same period2
• Many people with low income face challenges purchasing healthy foods. In urban centres the
high cost of housing leaves little money left for food; in geographically isolated communities
there may be a limited variety of healthy foods and food is often much more expensive than in
urban centres
• Almost 90,000 people visited a food bank in BC in March 2009, the highest number on record
and a 15% increase over 2008.3 This is greater than the population of Kamloops.
Dietitians of Canada, BC Region and the Community Nutritionists Council of BC have been
conducting food costing for almost a decade. The purpose of this activity is to gather evidence
that can be used to build food security for all British Columbians, especially those living on a
low income – the citizens most vulnerable to food insecurity and health inequities.4
The cost of a nutritious food basket as a proportion of income is a measure of affordability of
healthy food, and an indicator of food security at the individual and household levels. Health
authorities in BC have recently endorsed the cost of food as one indicator of food security.5
2
The poverty rate, using Statistics The most significant barrier to healthy eating is inadequate income.7 Once
Canada low-income cut-offs after fixed costs such as shelter and utilities are met there may be little money left
tax, for children in BC fell to13% for food. In many low-income neighbourhoods food is more expensive and
a shortage of grocery stores makes access to fresh and healthy food more
in 2007, yet remained the highest
difficult.8 For residents of geographically isolated communities, of which
in the country. The rate for
many are First Nations, access and affordability are further compromised by a
children living in families headed
limited local supply of food and additional costs for travel to purchase food.
by lone-parent females was 37%
While most British Columbians have incomes that support them to buy
– over one in three. The poverty healthy food, a disturbing percentage live in poverty, a condition that is
rate for all individuals and strongly associated with both food insecurity and poorer health. “People
families in BC was 11% in 2007, with low incomes are less likely than those with higher incomes to get the
also the highest in the country.12 nutrients they need for good health and are less likely to enjoy diets that are
consistent with healthy eating in Canada.”9 They spend less on food and eat
fewer servings of fruit, vegetables and milk products.10 They are also more
likely to die earlier and to suffer more illness than Canadians with higher
incomes.11
4
Table 1 also shows the proportion of disposable income required for shelter. Shelter represents a
monthly fixed cost; other expenses, including food, must come out of the post-shelter budget.13
For those families and individuals with low incomes, especially those receiving income assistance,
there is not enough money left to purchase healthy food, or pay for other living expenses.
• A family of four on income assistance would use 107% of their income for shelter and food.
• A family of four with one earner in a low-wage job would use 64% of their income for
shelter and food.
• A family of four with one earner and median income would use 48% of their income
for shelter and food.
“A generally accepted rule of thumb for affordability is that a household should spend less
than 30 percent of its gross income on housing.”14 Table 1 shows shelter as a proportion of
disposable income. For those families and individuals receiving income assistance, disposable
income is essentially gross income. As shown in Table 1 they require from 58%, for the family
of four, to 100%, for the older single woman, of their income for shelter. For the family with one
earner in a low-wage job, assuming the family is eligible for the provincial Rental Assistance
Program, shelter is approximately 29% of gross income (30% of disposable income). Shelter
for the family with median income is
approximately 22% of gross income
(29% of disposable income).
Family of 4, Single parent, Single older Young pregnant Single man, Family of 4, Family of 4,
Monthly income income 2 children woman, income woman, income disability low-earned median
and costs assistance income assistance assistance assistance assistance income income
% income
49% 38% 34% 39% 34% 35% 19%
required for food
What’s left
after shelter – $127 $37 – $218 – $228 – $22 $846 $2,326
and food
*See Table 3 for details regarding scenarios, income and costs
**See Table 4 for the monthly cost of the food basket for various age and gender groups
5
Are food costs rising?
The cost of food is increasing making it more difficult for British Columbians with
low incomes to buy healthy food.
Since it was first published, The Cost of Eating in BC report has demonstrated an upward trend
in the cost of the food basket.15 A direct comparison of this year’s basket price to previous years’
is not appropriate, as the contents of the basket changed in 2008 to reflect current nutrition
recommendations and purchase patterns of Canadians. It is appropriate however to view it along
with past years as an indicator of affordability of nutritious food.
Statistics Canada reports that consumer prices for
“We have to choose to eat healthy food
food increased in BC by 1.9% from October 2008
or pay bills. We choose healthy food
to October 2009.16 They also rose each year from
2004 to 2008 for a total increase of almost 12% as much as we can, so our phone and
to October 2009.17 Higher food costs are making internet have been disconnected.”
it even more challenging for people with low - Sabrina, single mom of 7 year old,
incomes to purchase enough healthy food. receiving disability income.
Rents in BC are also rising. Apartments with three
or more bedrooms had an increase in average rent of 4.2% from the spring of 2008 to that of
2009, following an increase of 5.5% the previous year.18 In the spring of 2009 Vancouver had the
highest average monthly rent for a two-bedroom apartment in a Canadian major centre.19
At the same time costs for food and rent are going up, unemployment is increas-
The majority of poor children in ing and more people are relying on income assistance, a last resort “social safety
BC live in families with some net”. Income assistance rates, however, have remained virtually unchanged. For
earned income. Over half (55.7%) example, the support portion of income assistance (for non-shelter costs) for the
live in families where at least one reference family of four has remained at $401 since the first report was published
in 2001. Table 2 shows the cost of the food basket as a proportion of the support
adult has the equivalent of
allowance, clearly demonstrating the allowance is inadequate to purchase healthy
full-time full-year work.22 In
food. The shortfall becomes even more pronounced when considering that the
2009, 12% of food bank clients shelter allowance is inadequate to cover rent (see Tables 1 and 3). Paying the rent
reported employment income; requires dollars from both the support allowance and child/family tax benefits,
31% of those assisted by food further reducing money available for food and other necessities like school
banks were children.23 supplies, clothing and transportation.
Table 2 Cost of food as a proportion of the support allowance for the reference family of four, 2001-2009
Family of 4,
income assistance 2009 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001
Support allowance $401 $401 $401 $401 $401 $401 $401 $401
Cost of food $872 $715 $653 $654 $632 $648 $629 $626
Cost of food
as % support 217% 178% 163% 163% 158% 162% 157% 156%
allowance
6
Little has changed for most recipients of income assistance. The most significant increase
in the support allowance for the scenarios described in Tables 1 and 3 is for the single male
receiving disability assistance. While the support allowance in this instance has increased by 15%
since 2001, an individual in this situation would still need to use 61% of his support allowance
to purchase the food basket. Almost one fifth (19%) of food bank recipients in BC reported
“disability-related income supports” as their income source.20
Minimum wage in BC has also not increased despite higher costs for food and shelter. It remains at
$8.00 per hour, unchanged since November 2001, at which time it was the highest in the country.
It is now the lowest and insufficient to bring a full-time, full-year earner above the poverty line.21
• Write a letter to your Member of the Legislative Assembly and ask for:
• A provincial poverty reduction plan
• An affordable housing strategy
• Fair income assistance rates
• Higher minimum wage
• Favourable tax policies for low income earners.
Find your Member of the Legislative Assembly at www.leg.bc.ca/Mla/3-1-1.htm
8
Table 3 Food as a proportion of disposable income for seven family scenarios – the details
Note: All dollars and numbers rounded to the nearest whole number
Reference family – mother and father, 31-50 years; boy 14 years; girl 8 years
Family 1 – Reference family, income assistance. Shelter allowance $700; support allowance $401.06
Family 2 – One parent family, mother 31-50 years, boy 14 years, girl 8 years, income assistance. Shelter allowance $660; support allowance $401.06
Family 3 – Single older female 60 years, income assistance. Shelter allowance $375; support allowance $235
Family 4 – Single pregnant woman 19 years, income assistance. Shelter allowance $375; support allowance $235; natal allowance $45
Family 5 – Single male 25 years, disability assistance. Shelter allowance $375; support allowance $531.42
Family 6 – Reference family, one full-time earner, $11/hour. Before tax yearly income $22,880. 2009 CPP/EI contributions, federal and provincial tax deductions.
After payroll deductions yearly income $21,525
Family 7 – Reference family, one earner, total income $68,900.6 Includes all income and government transfers. Employment income estimate $67,275 plus CCTB
estimate $1,620/year for total $68,895. 2009 CPP/EI contributions, federal and provincial tax deductions. After payroll deductions yearly income $53,569
2 Child/family tax benefits 2010 estimate. Includes where applicable Working Income Tax Benefit, GST credit, BC Low Income Climate Action Tax Credit, BC Sales Tax Credit,
Canada Child Tax Benefit, National Child Benefit Supplement, BC Family Bonus, BC Earned Income Benefit
3 Includes where applicable Christmas and School Start – Up Supplements, pro-rated, Natal Allowance
4 Shelter includes rent and telephone. Utilities may or may not be included. Rental data is from Canada Mortgage and Housing Rental Market Survey, April 2009 Custom Tables,
Vancouver Census Metropolitan Area. Rent for families 1, 2 & 6 is for 3 bedroom apartment (25th percentile). Family 6 is eligible for estimated rental assistance of $287.56.
Rent for families 3, 4 & 5 is for bachelor apartment (25th percentile). Rent for family 7 is for 3 bedroom apartment (average rent). Telephone is basic service in Vancouver area
code $25.25 plus GST, PST and 911 fee for a total of $28.28
5 2009 BC monthly average cost of the National Nutritious Food Basket
6 Statistics Canada. Median total income, by family type, by province and territory (couple families) 2006
9
Table 3
References
Average monthly cost of the
food basket in BC 2009
1 British
Columbia. BCStats Data Services. Labour Force Statistics October 2009.
Age / gender Monthly
groups cost BCStats, 16 Nov. 2009 Issue: 09-10. Web. 18 Nov. 2009.
2 British Columbia. Ministry of Housing and Social Development. BC Employment
Family of four $871.91
woman 31-50; man 31-50; and Assistance Summary Report. Province of British Columbia Housing and Social
boy 14-18; girl 4-8 Development, 31 Oct. 2009. Web. 18 Nov. 2009.
3 FoodBanks Canada. Hunger Count 2009. Food Banks Canada, 16 Nov. 2009.
Family of three $658.93
woman 31-50; Web. 17 Nov. 2009.
boy 14-18; girl 4-8 4 Power, EM. “Individual and Household Food Insecurity in Canada: Position of
Boy Dietitians of Canada.” Dietitians of Canada, 2005. Web. 23 Oct. 2009.
5 ProvincialHealth Services Authority. Measuring Food Security: Outcome Indicators
2-3 years $138.74
4-8 years $178.83 for the Food Security Program. Report in progress.
9-13 years $235.56 6 Canada. HealthCanada Office of Nutrition Policy and Promotion Health Products
14-18 years $332.02 and Food Branch. Canadian Community Health Survey Cycle 2.2, Nutrition (2004):
Income-related Household Food Security in Canada. Ottawa: Health Canada, 2007.
Girl Web. 23 Oct. 2009.
2-3 years $135.72 7 Power, EM. “Determinants of Healthy Eating Among Low-income Canadians.”
4-8 years $172.85
Can J Public Health 96(3):s 2005. 37-42. Print.
9-13 years $203.22
8 Canadian Population Health Institute. Improving the Health of Canadians: Promoting
14-18 years $241.96
Healthy Weights. Ottawa: Canadian Institute for Health Information, 2006. 64. Print.
Man 9 McIntyre, L. and Valerie Tarasuk. The Social Determinants of Health: Food Security as
19-30 years $323.23 a Determinant of Health. Public Health Agency of Canada, 2004. Web. 23 Oct. 2009.
31-50 years $293.18 10 Canadian Population Health Institute. Improving the Health of Canadians: Promoting
51-70 years $281.16
Healthy Weights. Ottawa: Canadian Institute for Health Information, 2006. 64. Print.
Over 70 years $278.15
11 Canada. PublicHealth Agency of Canada. What Makes Canadians Healthy or
Woman Unhealthy? Public Health Agency of Canada, 16 June 2003. Web. 23 Oct. 2009.
19-30 years $251.37 12 FirstCall: BC Child and Youth Advocacy Coalition. Child Poverty Rate Drops
31-50 years $248.20 Significantly, but BC Still Worst of any Province. First Call: BC Child and Youth Advocacy
51-70 years $218.97 Coalition, 3 June 2009. Web. 23 Oct. 2009.
Over 70 years $214.66 13 Power, Elaine. Individual and Household Food Insecurity in Canada: Position of
10
21Klein, Seth, et al. Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives – BC Office.
A Poverty Reduction Plan for BC. Vancouver: Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives
– BC Office, December 2008. Web. 23 Oct. 2009.
22First Call: BC Child and Youth Advocacy Coalition. BC Campaign 2000:
2009 Child Poverty Report Card. “Child Poverty and Working Parents: Fact Sheet #5.”
Vancouver: First Call: BC Child and Youth Advocacy Coalition, 24 Nov. 2009.
Web. 24 Nov. 2009.
23
Food Banks Canada. Hunger Count 2009. Food Banks Canada, 16 Nov. 2009.
Web. 17 Nov. 2009.
24 Fang, R., Kmetic, A., Millar, J. and Drasic, L. “Disparities in Chronic Disease
Among Canada’s Low-income Populations. Prev Chronic Dis. Volume 6. No.4 (2009):
1. Preventing Chronic Disease: Public Health Research, Practice, and Policy.
Web. 23 Nov. 2009.
25 Ibid
26 Ibid
27Quebec. Emploi et Solidarite Sociale Quebec. Government Action Plan to Combat
Poverty and Social Exclusion 2004-2009. Third year progress report. Gouvernement du
Quebec, October 2007. Web. 23 Nov 2009.
28Ontario. Ministry of Children and Youth Services. Ontario Passes Historic Poverty
Reduction Act. McGuinty Government Achieves Milestone In Long-Term Fight Against
Poverty. Ontario Newsroom, 6 May 2009. Web. 23 Nov. 2009.
29Klein, Seth, et al. Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives – BC Office. A Poverty
Reduction Plan for BC. Vancouver: Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives – BC Office,
December 2008. Web. 23 Oct. 2009.
30 Quebec. Emploi Quebec. Social Assistance and Social Solidarity Benefit Amounts.
In Effect as of January 1, 2009. Emploi Quebec. Web. 23 Nov. 2009.
31 Nova Scotia. Preventing Poverty. Promoting Prosperity. Nova Scotia’s Poverty
11
This report is endorsed by: BC Healthy Living Alliance Health Officers Council of BC
Breakfast for Learning BC & Yukon BC Poverty Reduction Coalition Heart and Stroke Foundation
BC ACORN Canadian Cancer Society, of BC & Yukon
A copy of this report and previous reports can be downloaded from Dietitians of Canada’s at www.dietitians.ca/bccostofeating.
Permission is granted to reproduce copies of the report in its entirety for personal or educational purposes, provided credit
to the publishers is included.