Healthy Eating: Increasing Affordable Options for Healthy Eating

Increasing affordable options 

Healthy, safe and affordable food is a key determinant of health.¹ Access and consumption of healthy foods reduces the risk of developing chronic diseases including cancer. The food we eat can also increase our risk of poor health.² 

Approximately 30 per cent of colorectal cancers in Alberta may be caused by an unhealthy diet.³ In 2015, approximately 8% of new cases of colorectal cancer diagnosed in Alberta were linked to low vegetable and fruit consumption, while approximately 10% were linked to consumption of red and processed meats.^4,5

Wild Rose Food Connections is a food security initiative that aims to build community and promote equitable access to healthy, affordable food.

Ways to get started

• Start a healthy food box program where community members can purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at a low cost, preferably sourced locally, and have the boxes picked up or delivered in a central location.
• Provide free healthy food and beverage options in schools, at events, during meetings, and in facilities.^1-3 Obtain subsidized healthy food items through support from businesses and other organizations.
• Create food delivery services, satellite depots, and other similar community-based programs to reduce barriers to accessing affordable healthy foods and beverages.³
• Work with communities, municipalities and grocery stores to create financial incentives for the purchase of healthy foods such as food subsidies, vouchers and price discounts.
• Support municipalities to institute price incentives for healthy food and beverage options in all public food venues and vending services.^6-7