Healthy Food Shop Costs Strain Irish Low-Income Families
The cost of a healthy food shop in Ireland is putting a significant strain on low-income families, with one-parent households and pensioners particularly affected. Rising food prices and limited budgets are forcing many to make difficult choices about their diet.
A recent study has revealed that a healthy food basket for a one-parent household with two children costs €122, equating to 28% of their take-home income. This is a considerable challenge, as balancing the cost of a healthy diet with other expenses is a constant struggle for low-income families. The situation is further exacerbated by the fact that low-income families in Ireland spend up to one third of their weekly income on a healthy food basket.
The cost of a healthy food basket varies depending on the household size and composition. For pensioners, the total weekly cost ranges from €72 for a single person to €90 for a couple. For a family of two parents on state benefits and two children, the average cost is €198, which is 33% of their take-home income. Meat, breads and cereals, milk, cheese, eggs, fruit, and vegetables make up the largest share of the food basket.
The rising cost of food is also a concern. Food price inflation in Ireland reached a 20-month high of 5% in August 2022. This increase, coupled with limited budgets, may lead low-income families to make unhealthy food choices, increasing the risk of obesity and related health issues. The problem is particularly acute in schools with more socio-economic disadvantage, where one in five primary school children is overweight or obese.
The high cost of a healthy food shop is a pressing issue for low-income families and pensioners in Ireland. With food prices rising and budgets tight, many are forced to make difficult decisions about their diet. This not only impacts their immediate health but also has long-term implications for their wellbeing. Addressing this issue requires a multi-faceted approach, including policies that make healthy food more affordable and accessible for all.
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