Can Households Earning Minimum Wage in Nova Scotia Afford a Nutritious Diet?

• Published in: Canadian journal of public health 2006-11, Vol.97 (6), p.430-434
• Main Authors: Williams, Patricia L., Johnson, Christine P., Kratzmann, Meredith L.V., Johnson, C. Shanthi Jacob, Anderson, Barbara J., Chenhall, Cathy
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Capital costs; Child; Child care; Consumer Price Index; Cost estimates; Costs and Cost Analysis - statistics & numerical data; Diet; Diet - economics; Disposable income; Estimates; Family Characteristics; Family income; Female; Financing, Personal - statistics & numerical data; Focus Groups; Food; Food - economics; Food baskets; Food Industry - economics; Food security; Health Services Needs and Demand - economics; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Minimization of cost; Minimum wage; Miscellaneous; Nova Scotia; Nutrition; Nutrition Assessment; Nutritional Requirements; Poverty - classification; Public health. Hygiene; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; RESEARCH/RECHERCHE; Salaries and Fringe Benefits - classification; Studies
• ISSN: 0008-4263; 1920-7476
• DOI: 10.1007/bf03405222

Objective: To assess the affordability of a nutritious diet for households earning minimum wage in Nova Scotia. Methods: Food costing data were collected in 43 randomly selected grocery stores throughout NS in 2002 using the National Nutritious Food Basket (NNFB). To estimate the affordability of a nutritious diet for households earning minimum wage, average monthly costs for essential expenses were subtracted from overall income to see if enough money remained for the cost of the NNFB. This was calculated for three types of household: 1) two parents and two children; 2) Ione parent and two children; and 3) single male. Calculations were also made for the proposed 2006 minimum wage increase with expenses adjusted using the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Results: The monthly cost of the NNFB priced in 2002 for the three types of household was $572.90, $351.68, and $198.73, respectively. Put into the context of basic living, these data showed that Nova Scotians relying on minimum wage could not afford to purchase a nutritious diet and meet their basic needs, placing their health at risk. These basic expenses do not include other routine costs, such as personal hygiene products, household and laundry cleaners, and prescriptions and costs associated with physical activity, education or savings for unexpected expenses. Conclusion: People working at minimum wage in Nova Scotia have not had adequate income to meet basic needs, including a nutritious diet. The 2006 increase in minimum wage to $7.15/hr is inadequate to ensure that Nova Scotians working at minimum wage are able to meet these basic needs. Wage increases and supplements, along with supports for expenses such as childcare and transportation, are indicated to address this public health problem. Objectif : Évaluer l'abordabilité d'un régime alimentaire nutritif pour les ménages qui gagnent le salaire minimum en Nouvelle-Ecosse. Méthode : Nous avons recueilli des données sur le prix des aliments dans 43 épiceries de Nouvelle-Ecosse sélectionnées au hasard en 2002 selon la mesure du Panier de provisions nutritif (PPN). Pour estimer l'abordabilité d'un régime alimentaire nutritif pour les ménages gagnant le salaire minimum, nous avons soustrait du revenu global la valeur mensuelle moyenne des dépenses essentielles pour déterminer s'il restait assez d'argent pour acheter le PPN. Nous avons fait ce calcul pour trois types de ménages : 1) deux parents et deux enfants; 2) un seul parent et deux enfants; et 3) un h