Study shows cost of food varies greatly across Yukon

A study by the Yukon Anti-Poverty Coalition showsthe amount of moneyYukoners spend on groceriesvaries greatly depending on where they live in the territory.

The organization taskedresearchers withgathering data at grocery stores across Yukonlast June to determinethe average weekly cost of a basic, healthy diet.

Researchers determined the costs of 67 food itemsin the "revised northern food basket," asurvey tool developed by Indigenous and Northern AffairsCanada.

The coalition says the foods representlocal dietary preferences and containsufficient nutrients for a healthy lifestyle.

Eachcommunityprofiled in the study has a grocery store with at least 75 per centof the foods listed the basket available for sale. Communities without access to a full-service store weren't included.

Major differences

The study was based on a reference family of four.

According to the study, if thefamily were from Whitehorse, and wanted to eat a healthy dietas outlined in the food basket, their grocery bill would be $274.78 per week.

That same family in Dawson City would have to spend $303.56 per week.

If they lived inOld Crow, the territory's only community without road access,they'd be paying a whopping $500.24 a week.

"That's after accounting for the Nutrition North Canada program subsidies," Kendall Hammond, the study's lead researcher, toldSandiColeman, host of A New Day onCBCRadio."So that suggests there's significant action that needs to be taken to ensure equitable access to food."

The studyshows significant differences between communities that are relatively close together as well.

In Carcross, that reference family would pay $426.33 per week at the local store, despitebeing only about70 km from Whitehorse.

"That sort of speaks to all the different factors that might influence the costs in a community, whether it's transportation, or competition, or costs to operate a specific store," said Hammond.

"We know that a lot of people who live in communities like Carcross and other communities in the territory come to Whitehorse regularly to do their shopping."

Taking another look

The report recommends tracking changes in food cost over time, across the territory.

Other recommendations included: addressing affordability challenges related to cost of basic goods and housing and more regular monitoring of healthy eating habits in the territory.

Hammond said, the study acknowledgedavarietyof other waysYukonersaccessed food "outside the market system," includinghunting and traditional foods.

The report recommends conducting more research on the role those methods play in helping Yukoners meet their nutritional needs.