Government refuses to act as healthy food gets out of reach

The National Government is standing on the sidelines as healthy food becomes too expensive for many families, says Grant Robertson Labour’s spokesperson for Health.

“When a family of four in Timaru needs to spend $180 a week just to get five servings of fruit and vegetables a day, it is too much for most families. Healthy food is in danger of becoming a luxury, rather than the centrepiece of family meals,” Grant Robertson said.

“Today in Parliament the Acting Minister of Health failed to provide any specific action the Government would take to address the unaffordability of healthy food. This is simply an abdication of responsibility. Not only is an inability to get a healthy diet bad for the families concerned, but the long term costs to the country of obesity and poor nutrition and impaired mental wellbeing are enormous.

“The rising cost of food represents a public health crisis. A recent report from the Wellington Regional Public Health Service shows that a family supported by a person earning the minimum wage would need to spend 50% of their income after rent to put healthy food on the table. This is out of the question for those families. According to the report the situation is even worse for families whose main income is a benefit ---they would need to spend up to 70% of their income after rent to have a healthy diet.

“The National Government is simply out of touch when it comes to the cost pressures on families. John Key says going to a foodbank is a lifestyle choice. Nothing could be further from the truth. Basic items such as milk, fresh fruit and vegetables that are vital to the health and nutrition of children are getting out of reach. The Government needs to take action.

“If elected Labour will take the practical step of removing GST from fresh fruit and vegetables, and establish a fairer tax system, including making the first $5000 earned tax free, so that those on lower incomes are able to make the choices to have a healthier diet,” Grant Robertson said.