KFL&A Public Health’s 2023 cost of eating healthy report reveals increase in costs

By Christena Lawrie, CFRC's Broadcast Journalist, for the Local Journalism Initiative.

KFL&A Public Health has released their 2023 Cost of Eating Healthy report and is reporting an increase in costs from 2022.

The report found that in 2023, the cost to eat healthy for a family of four in the Kingston region was approximately $1,207 per month, an increase from last year’s total of $1,099 per month.

To arrive at these findings, KFL&A Public Health conducted in-store and online costing of 61 foods from the National Nutritious Food Basket, which reflects a balanced diet using Canada’s Food Guide.

“Our findings consistently highlight the challenges faced by low-income households, to balance the costs of rent, healthy food, and managing other essential living expenses,” said Rachael Mather, public health dietitian at KFL&A Public Health. “Being unable to afford healthy food can have serious negative impacts on physical and mental health for adults, children and youth.”

In 2022, 11 per cent of households in the Kingston area were living with food insecurity, meaning they cannot afford the food they want and need for good health. It was stated in this year’s report that the number has increased to approximately 16 per cent.

In a release, the health agency stated, “Everyone deserves the right to adequate, healthy, safe, affordable, and culturally appropriate food. Income-based strategies are required to address poverty, which is the root cause of food insecurity.”