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Can you afford to eat healthy? A global look
18 Sep
Summary
- Healthy food baskets are prohibitively expensive globally.
- Billions are unable to afford nutritious and varied diets.
- Food deserts highlight issues of healthy food accessibility.
Globally, the cost of a healthy food basket is becoming a significant barrier, pricing billions of people out of a nutritious and varied diet. While cooking from scratch with fruits, vegetables, and beans might seem like an accessible option, the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization highlights that this is not the case for many.
Individuals in countries like Nigeria are struggling to afford even basic healthy foods for their families. In the United States, economic hardship, such as job loss and the discontinuation of food assistance programs like SNAP, further exacerbates the problem for those seeking to maintain a healthy diet.
Beyond affordability, the availability of healthy food presents another challenge. Initiatives like mobile fruit and veg buses are working to combat 'food deserts' in areas where access to fresh produce is limited, underscoring the multifaceted nature of food security.
