Affordability of Heathy, Equitable and More Sustainable Diets in Low-Income Households in Brisbane before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has increased food insecurity worldwide, yet there has been limited assessment of shifts in the cost and affordability of healthy, equitable and sustainable diets. This study explores the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and income supplements provided by the Australian government on diet cost and affordability for low-income households in an Australian urban area. The Healthy Diets ASAP method protocol was applied to assess the cost and cost differential of current and recommended diets before (in 2019) and during the COVID-19 pandemic (late 2020) for households with a minimum-wage and welfare-only disposable household income, by area of socioeconomic disadvantage, in Greater Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Data were collected between August and October, 2020, from 78 food outlets and compared with data collected in the same locations between May and October, 2019, in an earlier study. The price of most healthy food groups increased significantly during the pandemic—with the exception of vegetables and legumes, which decreased. Conversely, the price of discretionary foods and drinks did not increase during the pandemic. The cost of the current and recommended diets significantly increased throughout this period, but the latter continued to be less expensive than the former. Due to income supplements provided between May and September 2020, the affordability of the recommended diet improved greatly, by 27% and 42%, for households with minimum-wage and welfare-only disposable household income, respectively. This improvement in the affordability of the recommended diet highlights the need to permanently increase welfare support for low-income families to ensure food security.

Healthy Food Prices Increased More Than the Prices of Unhealthy Options during the COVID-19 Pandemic and Concurrent Challenges to the Food System

“…Previous studies have assessed diet costs during the COVID-19 pandemic and, opportunistically, the impact on diet affordability of government economic responses that boosted incomes for many low-income households [ 17 , 21 ]. In response to COVID-19 impacts, including increased unemployment, in 2020 the Australian Government introduced “JobKeeper” payments to help businesses pay employees who were stood down, and also lump sum Economic Support Payments and a fortnightly Coronavirus Supplement (hereafter abbreviated as ESP and CS) for eligible recipients of some income support payments, including the unemployment benefit “JobSeeker” [ 22 ].…”

“…In response to COVID-19 impacts, including increased unemployment, in 2020 the Australian Government introduced “JobKeeper” payments to help businesses pay employees who were stood down, and also lump sum Economic Support Payments and a fortnightly Coronavirus Supplement (hereafter abbreviated as ESP and CS) for eligible recipients of some income support payments, including the unemployment benefit “JobSeeker” [ 22 ]. Diet costs increased from 2019 to 2020, largely driven by rising prices of most healthy food groups [ 21 ]. However, increased income support meant that for the first time, welfare-dependent families had economic access to recommended diets [ 17 , 21 ].…”

“…Diet costs increased from 2019 to 2020, largely driven by rising prices of most healthy food groups [ 21 ]. However, increased income support meant that for the first time, welfare-dependent families had economic access to recommended diets [ 17 , 21 ].…”

Cost and affordability of healthy, equitable and more sustainable diets in the Torres Strait Islands

“…This study's findings highlight the low incomes in the Torres Strait Islands and add weight to calls for income supplements to counter the higher food prices in very remote communities and make healthy, equitable and more sustainable diets more affordable 29 . In 2020, recommended diets became 27% to 29% more affordable in Greater Brisbane and elsewhere in Queensland with government supplements provided to those receiving income support payments in response to the COVID‐19 pandemic 14,30 . The present study did not assess changes in dietary patterns due to the COVID‐19 pandemic or related income supplements, but both were likely to impact Torres Strait Islander families too.…”

Socio-Psychological Factors Associated with Young Australian Adults’ Consumption of Energy Dense and Nutrient Poor (EDNP) Foods

“…The common perception that an unhealthy diet is cheaper than a healthier one is exacerbated by the financial instability of young adults [26]. Past studies have noted the greater cost of healthier diets in the United Kingdom [65], United States of America [66] and in Australia [67,68], though the difference in affordability may be less than some studies claim [69]. Nevertheless, convenient, less expensive alternatives such as fast foods are often preferred by many young adults [70,71].…”