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Sarnia, ON – The 2010 Nutritious Food Basket (NFB) results, released by the County of Lambton Community Health Services Department, indicate that low-income residents in Lambton have trouble paying for food after housing and other fixed costs are paid.
The 2010 NFB, based on the lowest prices of 67 food items at nine Lambton grocery stores in May, found it costs a Lambton County family of four (two parents with a son and a daughter) $163.74 per week or $708.99 per month to buy groceries for a nutritionally adequate diet. The foods surveyed reflect a healthy eating pattern based on Eating Well with Canada's Food Guide and the foods Canadians typically buy.
“A healthy diet is vital for proper child growth and development and the prevention of chronic diseases like diabetes, cancer and heart disease," says Simone Edginton, Registered Dietitian with the Community Health Services Department (CHSD). "Improving the health of Lambton residents begins by ensuring people can afford an adequate, nourishing diet."
Edginton says Lambton’s NFB was used to analyze the living costs of a single mother on Ontario Works with a 7-year-old daughter and 14-year-old son, based on a monthly income of $1,709.24. After deducting $736 for shelter and $510.81 for nutritious food, only $462.43 was left to cover all other monthly needs, including hydro, heat, phone, transportation, clothes, school supplies, personal hygiene items and non-prescription medications.
“Families in this situation often pay the rent and necessary bills first, rarely leaving enough money for nutritious food,” says Edginton. “This results in poor nutrition and added stress about getting enough food to eat.” In 2008-09, 8.0% of Sarnia-Lambton residents experienced some degree of food insecurity - worrying about having enough food, running short on food, or sacrificing the quality of food.
Gayle Montgomery, Circles Coordinator for the County of Lambton, advises "The number one concern of adults involved in the Circles Initiative continues to be the inability to properly feed their children. Food banks and cost-saving programs like the Good Food Box are absolutely essential to these families.”
For more information on the 2010 Nutritious Food Basket results and related programs available such as the Good Food Box, Supermarket Tours and cooking classes, call 519 344-2062 ext. 2033, toll free 1-800-387-2882 or visit www.lambtonhealth.on.ca.
For more information about Lambton County, visit www.lambtononline.ca.
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Contact:
Simone Edginton
Registered Dietitian
County of Lambton
Telephone: 519 344-2062 ext. 2033
email: simone.edginton@county-lambton.on.ca
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