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The Cost of Eating in BC 2009

Low-income British Columbians can’t


afford healthy food

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

“Income-related food security is an


important public health issue in Canada
and is a key social determinant of health.
Food security is essential for healthy
eating – without consistent economic
access to sufficient nutritious food, healthy eating cannot
be achieved, increasing the risk of poor health.”6

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

How is the cost of food determined?


A standard basket of food is priced in randomly selected grocery stores.
This data is then pooled to obtain an average cost.
The National Nutritious Food Basket is a tool developed by Health Canada that describes 67 food
items and the quantities that represent a nutritious diet for a variety of individuals. Each spring,
dietitians working in public health collect prices for all the food items and the prices are then
pooled to obtain an average cost for the basket. In 2009 food costing was conducted in 134
randomly selected grocery stores throughout the province.
The basket contains basic food items that require preparation. It does not include take-out or
restaurant meals, nor does it account for any special dietary needs, cultural or other food prefer-
ences. It does not include any non-food items such as household or personal care supplies.
The basket does not take into account any costs associated with its purchase.
For families living in urban neighbourhoods well serviced by grocery stores these
additional costs may be minimal. For those living in remote rural and many First
Nations communities, buying the contents of the food basket locally may not
even be possible. Travel costs can add significantly to the cost of the basket, even
for those who live in communities situated relatively close to an urban centre,
particularly if public transit is not available.

Laxgalts’ap, located about 140 km north of Terrace, is a


community of 500-600 people in which there is no grocery
store. Residents must travel to Terrace to shop at a full
service grocery store; for someone without a vehicle, getting a
ride adds $40-$50 to the bill. The community of Atlin, about
1,265 km from Terrace, does have grocery stores, but limited
food variety and high prices. Residents typically do major
grocery shopping in Whitehorse, a five-hour return trip.
3
What is the cost of a healthy basket of food for a
family of four living in BC in 2009?
The monthly cost of the nutritious food basket for a family of four is $872.
The cost of the basket in BC is the average cost, weighted by population, of the basket in
each health region as shown in Figure 1. The actual cost of food varies from community to
community within each region.

How affordable is healthy food for British Columbians?


Individuals and families with low incomes, especially those receiving income assistance,
do not have enough money to buy healthy food.
Table 1 illustrates several scenarios in which the cost of the food basket is compared
to the disposable income of a number of households.
• A family of four on income assistance would use 49% of their income to buy the food basket.
• A family of four with one earner in a low-wage job would use 34% of their income to buy
the food basket.
• A family of four with one earner and median income1 would use 19% of their income
to buy the food basket.
12006 BC median income, the most recent year for which data is available.

On average, $16.05 in BC will purchase:


Figure 1 Cost of Food Basket • 4L milk
All BC $872
• one loaf of bread
• 454 grams (1 lb) of apples
Northern Health $876 • 4.54 kg (10 lbs) of potatoes
In a small remote community in northern BC
the same food items cost $34.85 or 117% more.

Vancouver Coastal Health


$919

Interior Health $835

Vancouver Island Health


$858 Fraser Health
$862

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).

“It’s so hard to buy food; I have


only $7 left (for the month) after
the rent is paid.”
– Mom, Healthiest Babies Possible,
Duncan

Table 1 Cost of food as a proportion of disposable income for seven scenarios*

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

Disposable income $1,773 $1,724 $649 $694 $949 $2,458 $4,491


Cost of
$1,028 $1,028 $648 $648 $648 $740 $1,293
shelter
% income
required 58% 60% 100% 93% 68% 30% 29%
for shelter

Cost of food** $872 $659 $219 $274 $323 $872 $872

% 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

What can the BC government do to ensure that more


British Columbians have enough money to purchase healthy food?
Establish a poverty reduction plan that supports more
BC residents to secure decent housing and buy healthy foods.
A recently released study shows that BC’s population is the healthi-
est in the country.24 However, when only low-income populations
are considered, the health of British Columbians is no better than
that of residents of other provinces and Quebec becomes the
healthiest province.25 The authors suggest that when it comes to
low-income citizens, the better health status of Quebec compared
to BC may be due to a stronger social safety net and the poverty
reduction efforts of that province.26
Quebec has the longest standing poverty reduction plan in Canada, introducing anti-poverty
legislation in 2002 with the Act to Combat Poverty and Social Exclusion. The province is beginning
to report success as noted above and, for example, real improvement in the financial situation
of all types of households, especially families.27 In May of this year Ontario became the second
province to pass anti-poverty legislation with the Poverty Reduction Act 2009.28 Other provinces
have developed poverty reduction plans – Newfoundland and Labrador, Manitoba, Nova Scotia
and most recently New Brunswick.
These plans provide frameworks to reduce poverty and support low-income citizens to partici-
pate more fully in their communities. They include actions to increase income assistance rates and
minimum wage. Newfoundland and Labrador increased welfare rates and was the first province
to index the rates to inflation.29 Quebec’s plan also includes indexing benefits.30 In Nova Scotia,
the personal allowance rate has increased since 2002 at a rate of 15.5%, in order to keep pace
with inflation, while the shelter allowance increased 26% for individuals and 4% for families. The
government has committed to annually adjusting personal allowances based on the Consumer
Price Index.31 Manitoba has recognized “…minimum wage increases are an important part of
any poverty reduction strategy”, increasing it in May 2009 to $8.75 and again in October 2009 to
$9.00.32 Newfoundland has a schedule to raise minimum wage to $10.00 by 2010.33
The BC government is taking action to combat poverty with initiatives to reduce barriers to
housing and healthy food. Examples include the Rental Assistance Program to assist families with
low earned income secure affordable housing and the cross ministry Produce Availability Initiative
to improve access to fresh vegetables and fruit for residents living in remote communities. These
important initiatives could be part of a comprehensive government wide plan to reduce poverty.
7
It is beyond the scope of this report to propose a comprehensive poverty reduction plan.
Much work has already been done to inform a BC plan that has vision, targets and timelines
and includes:
• Raising income assistance rates to account for the actual cost of healthy food and safe housing
and indexing rates to the cost of living
• Raising the minimum wage to a level that supports an individual working full-time, full-year
with an income above Statistics Canada low-income cut-off in a major urban centre
• Supporting a wide range of initiatives to ensure all British Columbians have access to safe
and affordable housing
• Supporting initiatives that increase access to healthy food for all British Columbians,
especially those living in rural and remote communities, or for whom access to food is difficult
• Building a system of high quality, affordable, accessible child care
• Measuring success by improvements in the health and social statistics of the most
disadvantaged British Columbians.

To inform a BC poverty reduction plan see:


• A Poverty Reduction Plan for BC, www.policyalternatives.ca
• Healthy Futures for BC Families: Policy Recommendations for Improving
the Health of British Columbians, www.bchealthyliving.ca
• BC Campaign 2000: 2009 Child Poverty Report Card, www.firstcallbc.org
• BC Poverty Reduction Coalition, www.bcpovertyreduction.ca
• Hunger Count 2009: A comprehensive report on hunger and food bank use
in Canada, and recommendations for change, www.foodbankscanada.ca

What can you do?


Learn more about poverty and take action in your community.
• Compare your monthly disposable income to that of an individual or family on income
assistance or earning a low wage (see Tables 1 and 3). Could you afford the food basket
if you were in their shoes?
• Support co-operative and affordable housing projects in your neighbourhood.
• Get political and speak out in your community – work, school, church, professional
associations, etc. – about why we should all care about eliminating poverty.
• Volunteer at a seniors or community centre or after-school program.

• 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

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Table 3 Food as a proportion of disposable income for seven family scenarios – the details

Family 1 Family 2 Family 3 Family 4 Family 5 Family 6 Family 7


Monthly income Reference Single parent, Single older Young pregnant Single man, Reference Reference
and costs family, 2 children, woman, woman, disability family, family,
income income income income assistance low-earned median
assistance assistance assistance assistance income income

Net income (after


payroll deductions) $1,101 $1,061 $610 $610 $906 $1,794 $4,464
Child/family benefits2 $648 $639 $36 $36 $40 $664 $135
Additional benefits3 $24 $24 $3 $48 $3 $0 $0
Medical services plan $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $108
Disposable income $1,773 $1,724 $649 $694 $949 $2,458 $4,491
Shelter4 $1,028 $1,028 $648 $648 $648 $1,028 $1,293
– 288
$ 740
% disposable income
58% 60% 100% 93% 68% 30% 29%
required for shelter
Cost of food5 $872 $659 $219 $274 $323 $872 $872
% disposable
income required 49% 38% 34% 39% 34% 35% 19%
to purchase food
What’s left
for all other – $127 $37 – $218 – $228 – $22 $846 $2,326
costs of living

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

Pregnancy Dietitians of Canada. Dietitians of Canada, 2005. Web. 23 Oct. 2009.


Younger than 18 years $269.46 14 Canada. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. Rental market report:
19-30 years $273.73 Vancouver and Abbotsford CMAs. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation,
31-50 years $266.97 Fall 2008. Web. 23 Oct. 2009.
15Dietitians of Canada and Community Nutritionists Council of BC.
Breastfeeding
Younger than 18 years $280.44 The Cost of Eating in BC. Dietitians of Canada, 2001-2007. Web. 28 Oct. 2009.
16 Canada. Statistics Canada. Consumer Price Index, by province (monthly)
19-30 years $289.54
31-50 years $282.78 (British Columbia). Statistics Canada, 18 Nov. 2009. Web. 23 Nov. 2009.
17Canada. Statistics Canada. Consumer Price Index, food, by province (British Columbia).
Note: Cost of food for the various age and
Statistics Canada, 19 Aug. 2009. Web. 23 Nov. 2009.
gender groups is based on living in a family
18 Canada. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. Rental Market Report
of four.
British Columbia Highlights. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Spring 2009.
Web. 23 Oct. 2009.
19 Canada. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. Rental Market Report
Canada Highlights. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Spring 2009.
Web. 23 Oct. 2009.
20 FoodBanks Canada. Hunger Count 2009. Food Banks Canada, 16 Nov. 2009.
Web. 17 Nov. 2009.

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

Reduction Strategy. Province of Nova Scotia, 2009. Web. 23 Nov. 2009.


32 Manitoba. Policy and Planning Branch, Manitoba Family Services and Housing.
All Aboard: Manitoba’s Poverty Reduction Strategy. Manitoba, May 2009.
Web. 23 Nov. 2009.
33 Klein, 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.

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

BC Association of Social Workers BC & Yukon NutritionLink Services Society

BC Coalition of People Canadian Centre for Policy Public Health Association of BC


with Disabilities Alternatives – BC Office Raise the Rates
BC Dental Public Health Canadian Diabetes Association Social Planning and
Committee – Pacific Area Research Council of BC
BC Food Systems Network Farm Folk City Folk TRAC Tenant Resource
BC Healthy Communities First Call, BC Child and Youth & Advisory Centre
Advocacy Coalition Vibrant Abbotsford
Food Banks British Columbia

©Dietitians of Canada 2009


This report is published by Dietitians of Canada, BC Region and the Community Nutritionists Council of BC. The publishers
gratefully acknowledge the members of the Cost of Eating in BC Committee for ensuring food costs are collected in each health
region and for their contributions to this report; the dietitians, health authority staff and volunteers throughout the province
who contributed to data collection; the grocery stores that allowed food costing on their premises and the Provincial Health
Services Authority for the technical and financial assistance provided in collecting and analyzing the food costing data. Without
the significant efforts of these many people this work could not be done.

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.

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