Annual estimates of weekly food costs
Each year the Department of Human Nutrition at the University of Otago completes a Food Cost Survey. The Food Cost Survey is based on a basket of food designed to meet dietary needs of men, women, adolescents and children. In recent years food costs have been reported for four cities in New Zealand: Dunedin, Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch.
Supermarket food cost data is collected by postgraduate students (Masters of Applied Science in Advanced Nutrition Practice) in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin on the first Monday in March each year. A standard protocol is followed (see Information Package).
Most healthy families or individuals will meet their nutritional needs when spending the amount of money specified for the basic costs. However, spending less than this amount increases the risk of not getting all the necessary nutrients. Many people will not lack energy or nutrients when spending less than this amount on food if they make careful management choices. However, the chances of consuming an inadequate diet increase as the amount spent to purchase food falls below the basic costs.
Please download the FREE Information Package for Users of the Estimated Food Costs for 2020 and 2021 available from the OUR Archive.
This document describes how we collected and analysed food costs, as well as our survey results!
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Dr Claire Smith.
