The cost of eating healthy

Hands holding vegetables.

The cost of eating healthy in KFL&A in 2022

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 9 households live with food insecurity

11 percent of households in the Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox & Addington (KFL&A) area live with food insecurity. This equals about 1 in 9 households.

Cost of eating healthy video transcript

Narrator

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

Eleven percent of households in Kingston, Frontenac, and Lennox & Addington area live with food insecurity. This means that about 1 in 9 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 food for a family of four in the KFL&A area for a month is $1099.

Chart 1 - Money left after paying monthly rent for a family of four

For those in Kingston on Ontario Works: $393

For those in Napanee on Ontario Works: $1549

For full time minimum wage earners in Kingston: $1606

For full time minimum wage earners in Napanee: $2762

For those in Kingston with the median Ontario income: $6956

For those in Napanee with the median Ontario income: $8112

Cost of healthy food per month: $1099

Chart 2 - Money left after paying monthly rent for a single female parent with two children on Ontario Works

For those in Kingston: $1126

For those in Napanee: $1544

Cost of healthy food per month: $804

12 percent of households in KFL&A are female lone parent families

Chart 3 - Money left after paying monthly rent for one person on Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Support Program

For those in Kingston on Ontario Works: $-49

For those in Napanee on Ontario Works: $189

For those in Kingston on Ontario Disability Support Program: $131

For those in Napanee on Ontario Disability Support Program: $475

Cost of healthy food per month: $400

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 and hydro, childcare, transportation, clothing, eye and dental care and personal items.

Amount of money left after the monthly rent has been paid for a family of four

Reference chart

Amount of money left after the monthly rent has been paid for a single female parent with two children on Ontario Works

Twelve percent of households in KFL&A are female lone parent families.

Reference chart

Amount of money left after the monthly rent has been paid for one person on Ontario Works or 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.

2022: 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	$1,206
GST/HST credit	$76
Ontario Trillium Benefit	$166
Working Income Tax Benefit	not applicable
Employment Insurance paid	not applicable
Canada Pension Plan paid	not applicable
Climate Action Incentive Payment (CAIP)	$62
Total Income	$2,760

Monthly Expenses in Kingston
Expenses	Ontario Works, Family of Four
Average Monthly Rent (may or may not include heat and hydro)	(3 Bedroom) $2,367
Food	$1,099
Total Monthly Expenses	$3,466
Funds Remaining for other basic needs (e.g., telephone, transportation, child care, household and personal care items, clothing, school supplies etc.)	$-706
Percentage of income required for rent	86%
Percentage of income required to purchase healthy food	40%

Monthly Expenses in Napanee
Expenses	Ontario Works, Family of Four
Average Monthly Rent (may or may not include heat and hydro)	(3 Bedroom) $1,211
Food	$1,099
Total Monthly Expenses	$2,310
Funds Remaining for other basic needs (e.g., telephone, transportation, child care, household and personal care items, clothing, school supplies etc.)	$450
Percentage of income required for rent	44%
Percentage of income required to purchase healthy food	40%

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	$2,600
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	$1,162
GST/HST credit	$76
Ontario Trillium Benefit	$166
Working Income Tax Benefit	$80
Employment Insurance paid	$-41
Canada Pension Plan paid	$-132
Climate Action Incentive Payment (CAIP)	$62
Total Income	$3,973

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) $2,367
Food	$1,099
Total Monthly Expenses	$3,466
Funds Remaining for other basic needs (e.g., telephone, transportation, child care, household and personal care items, clothing, school supplies, etc.)	$507
Percentage of income required for rent	60%
Percentage of income required to purchase healthy food	28%

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) $1,211
Food	$1,099
Total Monthly Expenses	$2,310
Funds Remaining for other basic needs (e.g., telephone, transportation, child care, household and personal care items, clothing, school supplies, etc.)	$1,663
Percentage of income required for rent	30%
Percentage of income required to purchase healthy food	28%

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	$9,458
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	$363
GST/HST credit	not applicable
Ontario Trillium Benefit	not applicable
Working Income Tax Benefit	not applicable
Employment Insurance paid	$-132
Canada Pension Plan paid	$-428
Climate Action Incentive Payment (CAIP)	$62
Total Income	$9,323

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) $2,367
Food	$1,099
Total Monthly Expenses	$3,466
Funds Remaining for other basic needs (e.g., telephone, transportation, child care, household and personal care items, clothing, school supplies, etc.)	$5,857
Percentage of income required for rent	25%
Percentage of income required to purchase healthy food	12%

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) $1,211
Food	$1,099
Total Monthly Expenses	$2,310
Funds Remaining for other basic needs (e.g., telephone, transportation, child care, household and personal care items, clothing, school supplies, etc.)	$7,013
Percentage of income required for rent	13%
Percentage of income required to purchase healthy food	12%

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	$1,207
GST/HST credit	$76
Ontario Trillium Benefit	$134
Working Income Tax Benefit	not applicable
Employment Insurance paid	not applicable
Canada Pension Plan paid	not applicable
Climate Action Incentive Payment (CAIP)	$54
Total Income	$2,528

Monthly Expenses in Kingston
Expenses	Ontario Works, Single Parent
Average Monthly Rent (may or may not include heat and hydro)	(2 Bedroom) $1,402
Food	$804
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.)	$322
Percentage of income required for rent	55%
Percentage of income required to purchase healthy food	32%

Monthly Expenses in Napanee
Expenses	Ontario Works, Single Parent
Average Monthly Rent (may or may not include heat and hydro)	(2 Bedroom) $984
Food	$804
Total Monthly Expenses	$1,788
Funds Remaining for other basic needs (e.g., telephone, transportation, child care, household and personal care items, clothing, school supplies, etc.)	$740
Percentage of income required for rent	39%
Percentage of income required to purchase healthy food	32%

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	$25
Ontario Trillium Benefit	$74
Working Income Tax	not applicable
Employment Insurance paid	not applicable
Canada Pension Plan paid	not applicable
Climate Action Incentive Payment (CAIP)	$31
Total Income	$863

Monthly Expenses in Kingston
Expenses	Ontario Works, One Person
Average Monthly Rent (may or may not include heat and hydro)	(Bachelor) $912
Food	$400
Total Monthly Expenses	$1,312
Funds Remaining for other basic needs (e.g., telephone, transportation, child care, household and personal care items, clothing, school supplies, etc.)	$-449
Percentage of income required for rent	106%
Percentage of income required to purchase healthy food	46%

Monthly Expenses in Napanee
Expenses	Ontario Works, One Person
Average Monthly Rent (may or may not include heat and hydro)	(Bachelor) $674
Food	$400
Total Monthly Expenses	$1,074
Funds Remaining for other basic needs (e.g., telephone, transportation, child care, household and personal care items, clothing, school supplies, etc.)	$-211
Percentage of income required for rent	78%
Percentage of income required to purchase healthy food	46%

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	$672
Maximum Shelter Allowance	$497
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	$77
Working Income Tax Benefit	not applicable
Employment Insurance paid	not applicable
Canada Pension Plan paid	not applicable
Climate Action Incentive Payment (CAIP)	$31
Total Income	$1,309

Monthly Expenses in Kingston
Expenses	Ontario Disability Support Program, One Person
Average Monthly Rent (may or may not include heat and hydro)	(1 Bedroom) $1,178
Food	$400
Total Monthly Expenses	$1,578
Funds Remaining for other basic needs (e.g., telephone, transportation, child care, household and personal care items, clothing, school supplies, etc.)	$-269
Percentage of income required for rent	90%
Percentage of income required to purchase healthy food	31%

Monthly Expenses in Napanee
Expenses	Ontario Disability Support Program, One Person
Average Monthly Rent (may or may not include heat and hydro)	(1 bedroom) $834
Food	$400
Total Monthly Expenses	$1,234
Funds Remaining for other basic needs (e.g., telephone, transportation, child care, household and personal care items, clothing, school supplies, etc.)	$75
Percentage of income required for rent	64%
Percentage of income required to purchase healthy food	31%

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	$1,618
Ontario Guaranteed Annual Income System	$83
Canada Child Tax Benefit	not applicable
GST/HST credit	$38
Ontario Trillium Benefit	$115
Working Income Tax Benefit	not applicable
Employment Insurance paid	not applicable
Canada Pension Plan paid	not applicable
Climate Action Incentive Payment (CAIP)	$31
Total Income	$1,885

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) $1,178
Food	$281
Total Monthly Expenses	$1,459
Funds Remaining for other basic needs (e.g., telephone, transportation, child care, household and personal care items, clothing, school supplies, etc.)	$426
Percentage of income required for rent	62%
Percentage of income required to purchase healthy food	15%

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) $834
Food	$281
Total Monthly Expenses	$1,115
Funds Remaining for other basic needs (e.g., telephone, transportation, child care, household and personal care items, clothing, school supplies, etc.)	$770
Percentage of income required for rent	44%
Percentage of income required to purchase healthy food	15%

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	$1,341
Maximum Shelter Allowance	$781
Old Age Security/Guaranteed Income Supplement	not applicable
Ontario Guaranteed Annual Income System	not applicable
Canada Child Tax Benefit	not applicable
GST/HST credit	$50
Ontario Trillium Benefit	$103
Working Income Tax Benefit	not applicable
Employment Insurance paid	not applicable
Canada Pension Plan paid	not applicable
Climate Action Incentive Payment (CAIP)	$47
Total Income	$2,322

Monthly Expenses in Kingston
Expenses	Ontario Disability Support Program, Married Couple
Average Monthly Rent (may or may not include heant and hydro)	(1 Bedroom) $1,178
Food	$660
Total Monthly Expenses	$1,838
Funds Remaining for other basic needs (e.g., telephone, transportation, child care, household and personal care items, clothing, school supplies, etc.)	$484
Percentage of income required for rent	51%
Percentage of income required to purchase healthy food	28%

Monthly Expenses in Napanee
Expenses	Ontario Disability Support Program, Married Couple
Average Monthly Rent (may or may not include heat and hydro)	(1 Bedroom) $834
Food	$660
Total Monthly Expenses	$1,494
Funds Remaining for other basic needs (e.g., telephone, transportation, child care, household and personal care items, clothing, school supplies, etc.)	$828
Percentage of income required for rent	36%
Percentage of income required to purchase healthy food	28%

Determining the cost of eating healthy in our community

In 2022, KFL&A Public Health followed a new process to determine the cost of healthy eating compared to previous years. This included online and in-store costing, and an updated list of foods based on the National Nutritious Food Basket. The 61 foods costed reflect a healthy eating pattern from Canada’s food guide. This year’s food costing results cannot be compared to previous years given the change in foods costed and costing methods.

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.
Learn the facts 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.
Read and 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.

Calculating the weekly cost of eating healthy in the KFL&A area

Step 1: Write down the gender and age of each person in the household
Step 2: Write down the weekly cost for each person from the Weekly food costs in the KFL&A area table. and write down the weekly cost for each person.
Step 3: Add the weekly food costs together for the subtotal.
Step 4: Use the Adjustments table for group size. It costs a little more per person to feed a small group and a little less to feed a large group.
Step 5: To find out the monthly food cost, multiply your total by 4.33

How to calculate the weekly cost of a nutritious food basket in the KFL&A area.

Weekly food costs in the KFL&A area

Food costing results in Cost of Eating Healthy in KFL&A, 2022 includes family size adjustment factors.

Weekly food costs in the KFL&A area
Group	Age (years)	Food costs per week
Boy	2 to 3	$39.72
Boy	4 to 8	$44.92
Girl	2 to 3	$39.72
Girl	4 to 8	$44.43
Male	9 to 13	$58.26
Male	14 to 18	$70.79
Male	19 to 30	$81.64
Male	31 to 50	$76.91
Male	51 to 70	$66.92
Male	over 70	$62.77
Female	9 to 13	$57.59
Female	14 to 18	$57.59
Female	19 to 30	$62.87
Female	31 to 50	$61.63
Female	51 to 70	$56.66
Female	over 70	$54.11
Pregnancy	18 and younger	$68.23
Pregnancy	19 to 30	$73.01
Pregnancy	31 to 50	$71.81
Breastfeeding	18 and younger	$67.85
Breastfeeding	19 to 30	$72.24
Breastfeeding	31 to 50	$71.81

Adjustments

Weekly food costs in the KFL&A area adjustments
Adjustments
1 person multiply by 1.20
2 people multiply by 1.10
3 people multiply by 1.05
4 people make no change
5 to 6 people multiply by 0.95
7 or more people multiply by 0.90

Scenario references

Scenario 1

2 adults (male and female ages 31 to 50), 2 children (girl age 8, boy age 14); Ontario Works (OW).

Scenario 2

2 adults (male and female ages 31 to 50), 2 children (girl age 8, boy age 14); income is based on one minimum wage earner, 40 hours per week, $15 per hour (minimum wage in May 2022).

Scenario 3

2 adults (male and female ages 31 to 50), 2 children (girl age 8, boy age 14).

NOTE: Income from employment is based on median after-tax income- two-parent families with children, two earners however, EI and CPP contributions are calculated using median total income-two-parent families with children, two earners. Assumption of a dual income family with a split of 65% / 35% between partners.

Scenario 4

1 adult (female age 31 to 50), 2 children (girl age 8, boy age 14); Ontario Works

Scenario 5

1 adult (male age 31 to 50); Ontario Works.

Scenario 6

1 adult (male age 31 to 50); Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP).

Scenario 7

1 adult (female age 70+); income based on Old Age Security and Guaranteed Income Supplement (OAS/GIS)

Scenario 8

2 adults (male and female ages 31 to 50); Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)

The cost of eating healthy

The cost of eating healthy in KFL&A in 2022

Cost of eating healthy video transcript

Narrator

Person 1

Person 2

Person 3

Person 4

Narrator

Chart 1 - Money left after paying monthly rent for a family of four

Chart 2 - Money left after paying monthly rent for a single female parent with two children on Ontario Works

Chart 3 - Money left after paying monthly rent for one person on Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Support Program

Narrator

Image - The cost of eating healthy report

Image - The cost of eating healthy infographic

Narrator

Amount of money left after the monthly rent has been paid for a family of four

Amount of money left after the monthly rent has been paid for a single female parent with two children on Ontario Works

Amount of money left after the monthly rent has been paid for one person on Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Support Program

2022: Cost of Eating Healthy, Income Scenarios

Scenario 1 - Ontario Works, Family of Four

Monthly Income in Ontario

Monthly Expenses in Kingston

Monthly Expenses in Napanee

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

Monthly Income in Ontario

Monthly Expenses in Kingston

Monthly Expenses in Napanee

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

Monthly Income in Ontario

Monthly Expenses in Kingston

Monthly Expenses in Napanee

Scenario 4 - Ontario Works, Single Parent

Monthly Income in Ontario

Monthly Expenses in Kingston

Monthly Expenses in Napanee

Scenario 5 - Ontario Works, One Person

Monthly Income in Ontario

Monthly Expenses in Kingston

Monthly Expenses in Napanee

Scenario 6 - Ontario Disability Support Program, One Person

Monthly Income in Ontario

Monthly Expenses in Kingston

Monthly Expenses in Napanee

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

Monthly Income in Ontario

Monthly Expenses in Kingston

Monthly Expenses in Napanee

Scenario 8 - Ontario Disability Support Program, Married Couple

Monthly Income in Ontario

Monthly Expenses in Kingston

Monthly Expenses in Napanee

Determining the cost of eating healthy in our community

What items are not included in this food costing?

What else should you know about this food costing?

What can you do?

Learn

Spread the word

Ask for action

Calculating the weekly cost of eating healthy in the KFL&A area

Weekly food costs in the KFL&A area

Weekly food costs in the KFL&A area

Adjustments

Scenario references

Scenario 1

Scenario 2

Scenario 3

Scenario 4

Scenario 5

Scenario 6

Scenario 7

Scenario 8