Food cost and availability in a rural setting in Australia

The burden of chronic diseases is rapidly increasing worldwide. In Australia rural populations have a greater burden of disease. Chronic diseases are largely preventable with diet as a key risk factor. With respect to diet-related chronic disease, dietary risk may be due to poor food access, namely, poor availability and/or the high cost of healthy food. It is likely that poor food access is an issue in rural areas.

To assess food access in rural south-west (SW) Victoria, Australia.

A total of 53 supermarkets and grocery stores in 42 towns participated in a survey of food cost and availability in the rural area of SW Victoria. The survey assessed availability and cost of a Healthy Food Access Basket (HFAB) which was designed to meet the nutritional needs of a family of 6 for 2 weeks.

Seventy-two percent of the eligible shops in SW Victoria were surveyed. The study found that the complete HFAB was significantly more likely to be available in a town with a chain-owned store (p <0.00). The complete HFAB was less likely to be available from an independently owned store in a town with only one grocery shop (p <0.004). The average cost of the HFAB across SW Victoria was AU380.30 dollars +/- 25.10 dollars (mean +/- SD). There was a mean range in difference of cost of the HFAB of 36.92 dollars. In particular, high variability was found in the cost of fruits and vegetables.

Cost and availability of healthy food may be compromised in rural areas.

Improvements in food access in rural areas could reduce the high burden of disease suffered by rural communities.