title: A longitudinal study of the cost of food in Victoria influenced by geography and nutritional quality.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To monitor the cost and affordability of a nutritious diet and to assess the influence of distance from the capital city and socioeconomic status on the cost of nutritious food in Victoria.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-six of Victoria's 79 local government areas (33%) were randomly chosen for inclusion in the study. A random sample of stores was selected for inclusion from each local government area. The cost of the 44 'healthy' and 10 'discretionary' food and drinks in the healthy food basket for a family of four for a fortnight was collected during the winter and summer of 2012, 2013 and 2014.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean cost of the basket increased from $424.06 ± 38.22 in winter 2012 to $451.19 ± 33.83 in summer 2014 (p<0.001), representing about 31% of government benefit household income. Fruit and vegetables prices were the most varied over time. Distance of the store from state capital city centre predicted difference in food cost.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings show that a healthy diet may be unaffordable for some Victorians.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The cost of food is a key factor influencing intake. Public health strategies may need to consider strategies to make healthy food more affordable for some.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition and Dietetics Monash University, Victoria.
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Palermo
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition and Dietetics Monash University, Victoria.
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McCartan
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition and Dietetics Monash University, Victoria.
authors.forename: Sue
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kleve
authors.affiliation: Centre for Health Economics, Monash University, Victoria.
authors.forename: Kompal
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sinha
authors.affiliation: Centre of Excellence and Intervention and Prevention Science, Victoria.
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shiell
mesh_terms: D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D004032:Diet / Q000191:economics*; D005502:Food / Q000191:economics*; D005523:Food Supply; D005638:Fruit / Q000191:economics; D005843:Geography; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D009753:Nutritive Value; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012621:Seasons; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014675:Vegetables / Q000191:economics; D014739:Victoria
keywords: food cost; nutrition; rural; socioeconomic