New statistics show healthy food is out of reach for many in the Parry Sound region.
According to a new report prepared by the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit, it cost a local family of four $879 a month to eat healthy in 2017.
Many in the region don’t have that kind of money, especially those who rely on social assistance.
Erin Reyce, Public Health Dietician for the Health Unit says a system that is designed to help, is part of the problem.
The 2017 Cost of Eating Healthy Report found that a single man receiving $806 in Ontario Works benefits would wind up $57 in debt every month if his rent cost $568 and he spent $295 to eat healthy.
Reyce says more government action at every level is needed to ensure that healthy food is within reach for everyone.
The report also says that one in eight families struggle to put food on the table and that 75 percent of Ontario households that are considered food insecure don’t use food banks.
To read the report go the NBPSDU website at Eat Healthy.
