Item - 2015.HL7.4
Tracking Status
- City Council considered this item on November 3, 2015 and received the item for information. No further action will be taken on this item.
- This item was considered by the Board of Health on October 26, 2015 and adopted without amendment. It will be considered by City Council on November 3, 2015.
HL7.4 - Cost of the Nutritious Food Basket - Toronto 2015
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Received
- Wards:
- All
City Council Decision
City Council on November 3 and 4, 2015, received this Item having regard that the Board of Health's recommendation is covered by Council's decision on Item EX9.5.
City Council Decision Advice and Other Information
City Council considered Items EX9.5 and HL7.4 together.
Background Information (Board)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2015/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-84588.pdf
Attachment 1: Weekly Cost of the Nutritious Food Basket in Toronto, May 2015
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2015/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-84589.pdf
Attachment 2: Nutritious Food Basket Scenarios, May 2015
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2015/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-84590.pdf
Rulings (City Council)
Members, in adopting EX9.5 City Council has adopted a work plan that will see staff report back to committee and Council on a "living wage" policy.
The Board of Health, in Item HL7.4, urges City Council to adopt such a policy. We will debate that policy at a future meeting. As a result, the Board's recommendation is covered by Council's decision.
HL7.4 - Cost of the Nutritious Food Basket - Toronto 2015
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Adopted
- Wards:
- All
Board Recommendations
The Board of Health:
1. Urges City Council to adopt a Living Wage policy.
Decision Advice and Other Information
The Board of Health:
1. Reiterated its endorsement of a Living Wage for Toronto to increase income and reduce health inequities.
2. Urged the Ministry of Community and Social Services to set social assistance rates at a level that supports household food security based on annual results from the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care's Nutritious Food Basket survey.
3. Reiterated its request to the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care to update the Nutritious Food Basket tool to more accurately reflect the true cost of eating per household, including food items that are ethno-culturally appropriate, pre-packaged/frozen and snack foods.
4. Forwarded the report (October 5, 2015) from the Medical Officer of Health to: the General Managers of Employment and Social Services; Shelter, Support and Housing Administration; Children’s Services; Affordable Housing Office; Economic Development and Culture; Social Development, Finance and Administration; Urban HEART @ Toronto; Ontario Ministers of Health and Long-Term Care, Community and Social Services, and Children and Youth Services; Interim Chief Medical Officer of Health of Ontario; Public Health Ontario; the Association of Local Public Health Agencies; the Ontario Public Health Association; the Association of Ontario Health Centres; the Ontario Society of Nutrition Professionals in Public Health; Dietitians of Canada; and the five Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs) in the Greater Toronto area.
Origin
Summary
This report details the results of the annual Nutritious Food Basket (NFB) survey, which tracks the affordability of healthy foods for individuals and families in Toronto.
In 2015, the estimated weekly cost of the Nutritious Food Basket for a reference family of four in Toronto is $195.65 ($847.16 per month). This represents an increase of 1.3 percent from 2014.
Every year, the NFB is used to survey the prices of a prescribed list of 67 foods in grocery stores. The foods fit with a basic, healthy diet that is consistent with Canada's Food Guide. The Nutritious Food Basket measures the minimum cost of healthy eating for a household in Toronto and how it changes over time.
Food prices have increased yearly since 2006, outpacing increases in minimum wage and social assistance rates. Even households working full-time may find themselves food insecure, with limited or uncertain ability to afford healthy food. A living wage has been identified as an effective way to reduce poverty. The living wage is calculated to include adequate, healthy food; and assumes that a household should be food secure. By adopting a living wage policy at the City of Toronto, those working for the City could afford adequate, healthy food for themselves and their families.
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2015/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-84588.pdf
Attachment 1: Weekly Cost of the Nutritious Food Basket in Toronto, May 2015
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2015/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-84589.pdf
Attachment 2: Nutritious Food Basket Scenarios, May 2015
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2015/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-84590.pdf