Getting more expensive to eat

A report from the region’s health department has found that cash-strapped families digging even deeper in their pockets to pay for groceries.

The report – 2015 Nutritious Food Basket – shows that in the five years between 2010 and 2015, the cost of a healthy diet for a family of four in Durham has gone from $702 per month to $830.

“Studies have shown that adults in food insecure households have poorer self-rated health, poorer mental and physical health, poorer oral health, greater stress and are more likely to suffer from chronic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure and anxiety,” states Deborah Lay, a registered dietitian and public health nutritionist with the health department, in a news release.

“For many families in Durham Region, after paying for shelter and other living expenses, there isn’t enough money left over to afford a healthy diet. Food insecurity is a daily challenge for these families.”

To learn more on getting involved in making the region more food secure, or to view the report, please visit durham.ca/foodsecure.