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The Nutritious Food Basket (NFB) is a survey tool that is a measure of the cost of basic healthy eating for people in various age and gender groups

The NFB is calculated from the costing of foods that are reflective of Canadian eating patterns and buying habits. It also represents current nutrition recommendations from Eating Well with Canada’s Food Guide.

Food staples such as flour, spreads and oils are included as well as costs for spices, seasonings and beverages. The basket does not include other necessities such as cleaning supplies, toothpaste or shampoo.

The NFB is an underestimation of the needs of people who require a special medical diet. Their food costs and nutritional needs are higher. The cost of feeding babies under one year of age is not included in the NFB and would be an additional food cost for households. The costs for meals purchased away from home would also need to be added to the basic food basket cost for households.

In May 2010, the cost of a nutritious food basket was priced for Ottawa according to the protocol and the Nutritious Food Basket Guidance Document (2010) in the Ontario Public Health Standards.

Each year, Ottawa Public Health conducts the Nutritious Food Basket Survey. Every year the results show that low-income households struggle to pay rent and bills and to buy sufficient nutritious food for their family. The survey requires visits to six grocery stores throughout the Ottawa region. Sixty-seven food items were priced to determine an average cost of a nutritious diet for Ottawa. The last time this survey was completed was May 2010.

This webpage features research which compares basic household expenses with the income of households with fixed and low incomes (Ontario Works, ODSP, Old Age pension, and minimum-wage earners).

This website also contains information about other food and nutrition services offered by Ottawa Public Health and community organizations.