Food Environments Food affordability

Cost of fruits and vegetables relative to starchy staples in a least cost healthy diet

Definition

Cost of the least expensive fruits and vegetables as a multiple of the least expensive starchy staples to meet intake levels recommended in food-based dietary guidelines. Data available for 2017.

Relevance

Shows the relative cost of the recommended amount per day of fruit and vegetables compared to the recommended amount per day of starchy staples. A ratio greater than 1 indicates a high-cost food group. A ratio less than 1 indicates the food group costs less than the cost of starchy staples.