The cost of eating healthy

grocery bag full of vegetables

The cost of eating healthy in KFL&A in 2023

Everyone deserves the right to adequate, healthy, safe, affordable and culturally appropriate food. People who live with food insecurity cannot afford to buy the food they want and need for good health.

Request your PDF copy of the Cost of Eating Healthy report

1 in 6 households live with food insecurity

16 per cent of households in the Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox & Addington (KFL&A) area live with food insecurity. This equals about 1 in 6 households.

The cost of eating healthy video transcript

Narrator

Imagine having to choose between buying food and paying your utilities bill.

Sixteen per cent of households in Kingston, Frontenac, and Lennox & Addington area live with food insecurity. This means that about 1 in 6 households in the KFL&A area do not know if there will be enough food next week or next month.

Households on fixed or low incomes are often forced to use their food budget to pay for other expenses.

What does it mean to live with food insecurity?

Person 1

I am not able to find food that fits with my cultural identity.

Person 2

I cannot afford to buy healthy foods.

Person 3

I have very little money left to buy fod after paying the rent.

Person 4

I skip meals so that there is enough food for my children.

Narrator

The cost to buy healthy food for a family of four in the KFL&A area for a month is $1207.

These are real world scenarios for a family and individuals living on social assistance.

This is the scenario for a family of four on Ontario Works:

Scenario 1 chart

For those living in Kingston

Income: $2,794

Rent: $1,918

Nutritious Food Basket: $1,206.86

Funds remaining: $-330.86

For those living in Napanee

Income: $2,800

Rent: $1,352

Nutritious Food Basket: $1,206.86

Funds remaining: $241.14

Narrator

The cost of the nutritious food basket is compared with income and local rental rates to provide a snapshot of the important role income plays with food affordability. It also shows who may experience food insecurity.

This is the scenario for a lone male on Ontario Works:

Scenario 2 chart

For those living in Kingston

Income: $865

Rent: $975

Nutritious Food Basket: $434.23

Funds remaining: $-544.23

For those living in Napanee

Income: $868

Rent: $826

Nutritious Food Basket: $434.23

Funds remaining: $-392.23

Narrator

This is the scenario for a lone pregnant person on the Ontario Disability and Support Program:

Scenario 3 chart

For those living in Kingston

Income: $1,409

Rent: $1,212

Nutritious Food Basket: $413.76

Funds remaining: $-216.76

For those living in Napanee

Income: $1,412

Rent: $826

Nutritious Food Basket: $413.76

Funds remaining: $172.24

Narrator

What can you do?

Learn more about why food insecurity is a serious public health problem.

Advocate for income-based solutions to food insecurity.

Share this information with your peers, colleagues and partner agencies.

Image - The cost of eating healthy report

Image - The cost of eating healthy infographic

Narrator

For more information, contact KFL&A Public Health at 613-549-1232
or online at kflaph.ca

Food insecure households are likely to:

worry about running out of food,
compromise their food quality,
reduce their food intake, and
experience disrupted eating patterns.

Food insecurity negatively affects health:

Children who are hungry are more likely to develop depression and asthma later in life.
Adults who are food insecure have poorer physical and mental health, and are more likely to have chronic conditions such as depression, diabetes and heart disease.
Food insecure adults with chronic conditions have more difficulty managing their conditions.

Food insecurity is highest among:

Indigenous Peoples and racialized Canadians,
households making low wages or on social assistance,
single mothers, and
people who rent their home.

Households on low incomes are often forced to compromise healthy eating to pay for other expenses.

Heat, hydro, clothing, child care, transportation, dental care, eye care, toiletries and personal care, phone and internet, prescription medications

Amount of money left after paying for the rent and Nutritious Food Basket for a family of four on Ontario Works

Reference chart

Amount of money left after paying for rent and the Nutritious Food Basket for a lone male on Ontario Works

Reference chart

Amount of money left after paying for rent and the Nutritious Food Basket for a lone male on the Ontario Disability Support Program

Reference chart

Amount of money left after paying for rent and the Nutritious Food Basket for a lone pregnant person on the Ontario Disability Support Program

Reference chart

Remaining monthly funds after the rent represents funds available for food and basic expenses, such as: heat, hydro, childcare, transportation, clothing, eye care, dental care, and personal care.

2023: Cost of Eating Healthy, Income Scenarios

Scenario 1 - Ontario Works, family of Four

Monthly Income in Ontario

Income	Ontario Works, family of Four
Income from Employment	not applicable
Basic Allowance	$494
Maximum Shelter Allowance	$756
Old Age Security/Guaranteed Income Supplement	not applicable
Ontario Guaranteed Annual Income System	not applicable
Canada Child Tax Benefit	$1,235
GST/HST credit	$78
Ontario Trillium Benefit	$169
Working Income Tax Benefit	not applicable
Employment Insurance paid	not applicable
Canada Pension Plan paid	not applicable
Climate Action Incentive Payment (CAIP) Kingston	$62
Climate Action Incentive Payment (CAIP) Napanee	$68
Total Income Kingston	$2,794
Total Income Napanee	$2,800

Monthly Expenses in Kingston

Expenses	Ontario Works, Family of Four
Average Monthly Rent (may or may not include heat and hydro)	(3 Bedroom) $1,918
Food	$1,207
Total Monthly Expenses	$3,125
Funds Remaining for other basic needs (e.g., telephone, transportation, child care, household and personal care items, clothing, school supplies etc.)	$-331
Percentage of income required for rent	69%
Percentage of income required to purchase healthy food	43%

Monthly Expenses in Napanee

Expenses	Ontario Works, Family of Four
Average Monthly Rent (may or may not include heat and hydro)	(3 Bedroom) $1,352
Food	$1,207
Total Monthly Expenses	$2,559
Funds Remaining for other basic needs (e.g., telephone, transportation, child care, household and personal care items, clothing, school supplies etc.)	$241
Percentage of income required for rent	48%
Percentage of income required to purchase healthy food	43%

Scenario 2 - Minimum Wage Earner, Family of Four (full-time/full year)

Monthly Income in Ontario

Income	Minimum Wage Earner, Family of Four (full-time/full year)
Income from Employment	$2,687
Basic Allowance	not applicable
Maximum Shelter Allowance	not applicable
Old Age Security/Guaranteed Income Supplement	not applicable
Ontario Guaranteed Annual Income System	not applicable
Canada Child Tax Benefit	$1,192
GST/HST credit	$78
Ontario Trillium Benefit	$169
Canada Worker Benefit	$159
Employment Insurance paid	$-44
Canada Pension Plan paid	$-143
Climate Action Incentive Payment (CAIP) Kingston	$62
Climate Action Incentive Payment (CAIP) Napanee	$68
Total Income Kingston	$4,160
Total Income Napanee	$4,166

Monthly Expenses in Kingston

Expenses	Minimum Wage Earner, family of four (full-time/full year)
Average Monthly Rent (may or may not include heat and hydro)	(3 Bedroom) $1,918
Food	$1,207
Total Monthly Expenses	$3,125
Funds Remaining for other basic needs (e.g., telephone, transportation, child care, household and personal care items, clothing, school supplies, etc.)	$1,035.14
Percentage of income required for rent	46%
Percentage of income required to purchase healthy food	29%

Monthly Expenses in Napanee

Expenses	Minimum Wage Earner, Family of Four (full-time/full year)
Average Monthly Rent (may or may not include heat and hydro)	(3 Bedroom) $1,352
Food	$1,207
Total Monthly Expenses	$2,559
Funds Remaining for other basic needs (e.g., telephone, transportation, child care, household and personal care items, clothing, school supplies, etc.)	$1,607
Percentage of income required for rent	32%
Percentage of income required to purchase healthy food	29%

Scenario 3 - Median Ontario Income, Family of Four (after tax)

Monthly Income in Ontario

Income	Median Ontario Income, Family of Four (after tax)
Income from Employment	$9,575
Basic Allowance	not applicable
Maximum Shelter Allowance	not applicable
Old Age Security/Guaranteed Income Supplement	not applicable
Ontario Guaranteed Annual Income System	not applicable
Canada Child Tax Benefit	$248
GST/HST credit	not applicable
Ontario Trillium Benefit	not applicable
Working Income Tax Benefit	not applicable
Employment Insurance paid	$-137
Canada Pension Plan paid	$-464
Climate Action Incentive Payment (CAIP) Kingston	$62
Climate Action Incentive Payment (CAIP) Napanee	$68
Total Income Kingston	$9,284
Total Income Napanee	$9,290

Monthly Expenses in Kingston

Expenses	Median Ontario Income, Family of Four (after tax)
Average Monthly Rent (may or may not include heat and hydro)	(3 Bedroom) $1,918
Food	$1,207
Total Monthly Expenses	$3,125
Funds Remaining for other basic needs (e.g., telephone, transportation, child care, household and personal care items, clothing, school supplies, etc.)	$6,159
Percentage of income required for rent	21%
Percentage of income required to purchase healthy food	13%

Monthly Expenses in Napanee

Expenses	Median Ontario Income, Family of Four (after tax)
Average Monthly Rent (may or may not include heat and hydro)	(3 Bedroom) $1,352
Food	$1,207
Total Monthly Expenses	$2,559
Funds Remaining for other basic needs (e.g., telephone, transportation, child care, household and personal care items, clothing, school supplies, etc.)	$6,731
Percentage of income required for rent	15%
Percentage of income required to purchase healthy food	13%

Scenario 4 - Ontario Works, Single Parent

Monthly Income in Ontario

Income	Ontario Works, Single Parent
Income from Employment	not applicable
Basic Allowance	$360
Maximum Shelter Allowance	$697
Old Age Security/Guaranteed Income Supplement	not applicable
Ontario Guaranteed Annual Income System	not applicable
Canada Child Tax Benefit	$1,235
GST/HST credit	$78
Ontario Trillium Benefit	$136
Working Income Tax Benefit	not applicable
Employment Insurance paid	not applicable
Canada Pension Plan paid	not applicable
Climate Action Incentive Payment (CAIP) Kingston	$54
Climate Action Incentive Payment (CAIP) Napanee	$60
Total Income Kingston	$2,560
Total Income Napanee	$2,566

Monthly Expenses in Kingston

Expenses	Ontario Works, Single Parent
Average Monthly Rent (may or may not include heat and hydro)	(2 Bedroom) $1,471
Food	$887
Total Monthly Expenses	$2,358
Funds Remaining for other basic needs (e.g., telephone, transportation, child care, household and personal care items, clothing, school supplies, etc.)	$202
Percentage of income required for rent	57%
Percentage of income required to purchase healthy food	35%

Monthly Expenses in Napanee

Expenses	Ontario Works, Single Parent
Average Monthly Rent (may or may not include heat and hydro)	(2 Bedroom) $930
Food	$887
Total Monthly Expenses	$1,817
Funds Remaining for other basic needs (e.g., telephone, transportation, child care, household and personal care items, clothing, school supplies, etc.)	$749
Percentage of income required for rent	36%
Percentage of income required to purchase healthy food	35%

Scenario 5 - Ontario Works, one person

Monthly Income in Ontario

Income	Ontario Works, one person
Income from Employment	not applicable
Basic Allowance	$343
Maximum Shelter Allowance	$390
Old Age Security/Guaranteed Income Supplement	not applicable
Ontario Guaranteed Annual Income System	not applicable
Canada Child Tax Benefit	not applicable
GST/HST credit	$26
Ontario Trillium Benefit	$75
Working Income Tax	not applicable
Employment Insurance paid	not applicable
Canada Pension Plan paid	not applicable
Climate Action Incentive Payment (CAIP) Kingston	$31
Climate Action Incentive Payment (CAIP) Napanee	$34
Total Income Kingston	$865
Total Income Napanee	$868

Monthly Expenses in Kingston

Expenses	Ontario Works, one person
Average Monthly Rent (may or may not include heat and hydro)	(Bachelor) $975
Food	$434
Total Monthly Expenses	$1,409
Funds Remaining for other basic needs (e.g., telephone, transportation, child care, household and personal care items, clothing, school supplies, etc.)	$-544
Percentage of income required for rent	113%
Percentage of income required to purchase healthy food	50%

Monthly Expenses in Napanee

Expenses	Ontario Works, one person
Average Monthly Rent (may or may not include heat and hydro)	(Bachelor) $826
Food	$434
Total Monthly Expenses	$1,260
Funds Remaining for other basic needs (e.g., telephone, transportation, child care, household and personal care items, clothing, school supplies, etc.)	$-392
Percentage of income required for rent	95%
Percentage of income required to purchase healthy food	50%

Scenario 6 - Ontario Disability Support Program, One Person

Monthly Income in Ontario

Income	Ontario Disability Support Program, one person
Income from Employment	not applicable
Basic Allowance	$706
Maximum Shelter Allowance	$522
Old Age Security/Guaranteed Income Supplement	not applicable
Ontario Guaranteed Annual Income System	not applicable
Canada Child Tax Benefit	not applicable
GST/HST credit	$32
Ontario Trillium Benefit	$78
Working Income Tax Benefit	not applicable
Employment Insurance paid	not applicable
Canada Pension Plan paid	not applicable
Climate Action Incentive Payment (CAIP) Kingston	$31
Climate Action Incentive Payment (CAIP) Napanee	$34
Total Income Kingston	$1,369
Total Income Napanee	$1,372

Monthly Expenses in Kingston

Expenses	Ontario Disability Support Program, one person
Average Monthly Rent (may or may not include heat and hydro)	(1 Bedroom) $1,212
Food	$434
Total Monthly Expenses	$1,646
Funds Remaining for other basic needs (e.g., telephone, transportation, child care, household and personal care items, clothing, school supplies, etc.)	$-277
Percentage of income required for rent	89%
Percentage of income required to purchase healthy food	32%

Monthly Expenses in Napanee

Expenses	Ontario Disability Support Program, one person
Average Monthly Rent (may or may not include heat and hydro)	(1 bedroom) $826
Food	$434
Total Monthly Expenses	$1,260
Funds Remaining for other basic needs (e.g., telephone, transportation, child care, household and personal care items, clothing, school supplies, etc.)	$112
Percentage of income required for rent	60%
Percentage of income required to purchase healthy food	32%

Scenario 7 - Old Age Security or Guaranteed Income Supplement, One Person

Monthly Income in Ontario

Income	Old Age Security/Guaranteed Income Supplement, one person
Income from Employment	not applicable
Basic Allowance	not applicable
Maximum Shelter Allowance	not applicable
Old Age Security/Guaranteed Income Supplement	$1,723
Ontario Guaranteed Annual Income System	$83
Canada Child Tax Benefit	not applicable
GST/HST credit	$39
Ontario Trillium Benefit	$117
Working Income Tax Benefit	not applicable
Employment Insurance paid	not applicable
Canada Pension Plan paid	not applicable
Climate Action Incentive Payment (CAIP) Kingston	$31
Climate Action Incentive Payment (CAIP) Napanee	$34
Total Income Kingston	$1,993
Total Income Napanee	$1,996

Monthly Expenses in Kingston

Expenses	Old Age Security/Guaranteed Income Supplement, one person
Average Monthly Rent (may or may not include heant and hydro)	(1 Bedroom) $1,212
Food	$312
Total Monthly Expenses	$1,524
Funds Remaining for other basic needs (e.g., telephone, transportation, child care, household and personal care items, clothing, school supplies, etc.)	$470
Percentage of income required for rent	61%
Percentage of income required to purchase healthy food	16%

Monthly Expenses in Napanee

Expenses	Old Age Security/Guaranteed Income Supplement, one person
Average Monthly Rent (may or may not include heat and hydro)	(1 Bedroom) $826
Food	$312
Total Monthly Expenses	$1,138
Funds Remaining for other basic needs (e.g., telephone, transportation, child care, household and personal care items, clothing, school supplies, etc.)	$859
Percentage of income required for rent	41%
Percentage of income required to purchase healthy food	16%

Scenario 8 - Ontario Disability Support Program, married couple

Monthly Income in Ontario

Income	Ontario Disability Support Program, married couple
Income from Employment	not applicable
Basic Allowance	$1,409
Maximum Shelter Allowance	$821
Old Age Security/Guaranteed Income Supplement	not applicable
Ontario Guaranteed Annual Income System	not applicable
Canada Child Tax Benefit	not applicable
GST/HST credit	$51
Ontario Trillium Benefit	$105
Working Income Tax Benefit	not applicable
Employment Insurance paid	not applicable
Canada Pension Plan paid	not applicable
Climate Action Incentive Payment (CAIP) Kingston	$47
Climate Action Incentive Payment (CAIP) Napanee	$51
Total Income Kingston	$2,433
Total Income Napanee	$2,437

Monthly Expenses in Kingston

Expenses	Ontario Disability Support Program,married couple
Average Monthly Rent (may or may not include heant and hydro)	(1 Bedroom) $1,212
Food	$722
Total Monthly Expenses	$1,934
Funds Remaining for other basic needs (e.g., telephone, transportation, child care, household and personal care items, clothing, school supplies, etc.)	$499
Percentage of income required for rent	50%
Percentage of income required to purchase healthy food	30%

Monthly Expenses in Napanee

Expenses	Ontario Disability Support Program, married couple
Average Monthly Rent (may or may not include heat and hydro)	(1 Bedroom) $826
Food	$722
Total Monthly Expenses	$1,548
Funds Remaining for other basic needs (e.g., telephone, transportation, child care, household and personal care items, clothing, school supplies, etc.)	$889
Percentage of income required for rent	34%
Percentage of income required to purchase healthy food	30%

Scenario 9 - Ontario Disability Support Program, lone pregnant person

Monthly Income in Ontario

Income	Ontario Disability Support Program, lone pregnant person
Income from Employment	not applicable
Basic Allowance	$706
Maximum Shelter Allowance	$522
Old Age Security/Guaranteed Income Supplement	not applicable
Ontario Guaranteed Annual Income System	not applicable
Canada Child Tax Benefit	not applicable
GST/HST credit	$32
Ontario Trillium Benefit	$78
Working Income Tax Benefit	not applicable
Employment Insurance paid	not applicable
Canada Pension Plan paid	not applicable
Climate Action Incentive Payment (CAIP) Kingston	$31
Climate Action Incentive Payment (CAIP) Napanee	$34
Total Income Kingston	$1,409
Total Income Napanee	$1,412

Monthly Expenses in Kingston

Expenses	Ontario Disability Support Program, lone pregnant person
Average Monthly Rent (may or may not include heant and hydro)	(1 Bedroom) $1,212
Food	$414
Total Monthly Expenses	$1,626
Funds Remaining for other basic needs (e.g., telephone, transportation, child care, household and personal care items, clothing, school supplies, etc.)	$-217
Percentage of income required for rent	86%
Percentage of income required to purchase healthy food	29%

Monthly Expenses in Napanee

Expenses	Ontario Disability Support Program, lone pregnant person
Average Monthly Rent (may or may not include heat and hydro)	(1 Bedroom) $826
Food	$414
Total Monthly Expenses	$1,240
Funds Remaining for other basic needs (e.g., telephone, transportation, child care, household and personal care items, clothing, school supplies, etc.)	$172
Percentage of income required for rent	58%
Percentage of income required to purchase healthy food	29%

Scenario 10 - Full-time minimum wage earner, lone parent with two children

Monthly Income in Ontario

Income	Full-time minimum wage earner, lone parent with two children
Income from Employment	$2,687
Basic Allowance	not applicable
Maximum Shelter Allowance	not applicable
Old Age Security/Guaranteed Income Supplement	not applicable
Ontario Guaranteed Annual Income System	not applicable
Canada Child Tax Benefit	$1,375
GST/HST credit	$78
Ontario Trillium Benefit	$136
Canada Worker Benefit	$159
Employment Insurance paid	$-44
Canada Pension Plan paid	$-143
Climate Action Incentive Payment (CAIP) Kingston	$54
Climate Action Incentive Payment (CAIP) Napanee	$60
Total Income Kingston	$4,302
Total Income Napanee	$4,308

Monthly Expenses in Kingston

Expenses	Full-time minimum wage earner, lone parent with two children
Average Monthly Rent (may or may not include heant and hydro)	(1 Bedroom) $1,471
Food	$735
Total Monthly Expenses	$2,206
Funds Remaining for other basic needs (e.g., telephone, transportation, child care, household and personal care items, clothing, school supplies, etc.)	$2,096
Percentage of income required for rent	34%
Percentage of income required to purchase healthy food	17%

Monthly Expenses in Napanee

Expenses	Full-time minimum wage earner, lone parent with two children
Average Monthly Rent (may or may not include heat and hydro)	(1 Bedroom) $930
Food	$735
Total Monthly Expenses	$1,665
Funds Remaining for other basic needs (e.g., telephone, transportation, child care, household and personal care items, clothing, school supplies, etc.)	$2,643
Percentage of income required for rent	22%
Percentage of income required to purchase healthy food	17%

Determining the cost of eating healthy in our community

KFL&A Public Health determines the cost of eating healthy by costing food items from the National Nutritious Food Basket. The 61 foods costed reflect a healthy eating pattern from Canada’s Food Guide.

Plate with various food item icons

KFL&A Public Health surveyed seven grocery stores in May. The lowest available price in each store is recorded for each food item. The prices from all the stores are then averaged. An extra five percent is added to the total food cost to account for additional food items such as spices, seasonings, condiments, baking supplies, soups, coffee, and tea.

What items are not included in this food costing?

Processed convenience foods
Popular snack foods
Special dietary foods
Infant foods
Religious or cultural foods
Soap, shampoo, toilet paper and other personal care items

This also does not include costs associated with eating out at restaurants and extra costs for inviting company to share a meal.

What else should you know about this food costing?

It assumes that most people have the necessary time, food skills, and equipment to create meals from low-cost food staples and ingredients.
It assumes that the consumer has access to quality food stores and the means of transportation to comparison shop.

What can you do?

Learn

Learn more about why food insecurity is a serious public health problem.
Read these facts sheets about food insecurity.
Learn more about why income solutions are needed to reduce food insecurity.

Spread the word

Talk about the problem of food insecurity at your dinner table or at social gatherings.
Share the Cost of Eating Healthy report with your peers, colleagues, and partner agencies.
Share the link to the No Money for Food is...Cent$less campaign on social media.
Retweet @RDsPubHealthON tweets about food insecurity.

Ask for action

Talk to your local political leaders to act on income-based solutions to food insecurity.
Customize the Cent$less letter template to urge MPs to act on food insecurity.

Scenario references

Scenario 1

Two adults (male and female 31 to 50 years of age), two children (girl eight years of age, boy 14 years of age) living in a three bedroom accommodation; Ontario Works (OW).

Scenario 2

Two adults (male and female 31 to 50 years of age), two children (girl eight years of age, boy 14 years of age) living in a three bedroom accommodation; income is based on one minimum wage earner, 40hr/ wk, $15.50/hr (minimum wage in May 2023).

Scenario 3

Two adults (male and female 31 to 50 years of age), two children (girl eight years of age, boy 14 years of age) living in a three bedroom accommodation.

Note: Income from employment is based on median after-tax income in Ontario- couples with children; however, EI and CPP contributions are calculated using median total income[1]couples with children. Assumption of a dual income family with a split of 65% / 35% between partners.

Scenario 4

One adult (female 31 to 50 years of age), two children (girl eight years of age, boy 14 years of age) living in a two bedroom accommodation; OW.

Scenario 5

One adult (male 31 to 50 years of age) living in a bachelor accommodation; OW.

Scenario 6

One adult (male 31 to 50 years of age) living in a one bedroom accommodation; Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP).

Scenario 7

One adult (female 70+ years of age) living in a one bedroom accommodation; income based on Old Age Security and Guaranteed Income Supplement (OAS/GIS).

Scenario 8

Two adults (male and female 31 to 50 years of age) living in a one bedroom accommodation; ODSP.

Scenario 9

One adult (female pregnant 19 to 30 years of age) living in a one bedroom accommodation; ODSP.

Scenario 10

One adult (female 31 to 50 years of age), two children (girl three years of age, boy 4 years of age) living in a two bedroom accommodation; income is based on one minimum wage earner, 40hr/ wk, $15.50/hr (minimum wage in May 2023).

Rental costs

Rental costs are based on averages from the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) Rental Market Survey. The survey is conducted during the first 2 weeks of October in urban areas with populations of 10,000 or more and the results reflect market conditions at that time. The survey includes both new and existing units in privately initiated structures with at least 3 rental units. The cost for a new tenant would likely be higher, as current tenants are protected from large annual increases by Ontario’s residential rent increase guideline. Utility costs (e.g., heat, electricity, hot water) may or may not be included in the rental amounts.