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The association of consumers Rural Families, which publishes an annual observatory of the prices of everyday consumer goods, observed ” inflation contained in 2021, except for fruit and vegetables, the prices of which have jumped 9% in two years from September 2019 to September 2021.
« The fruit and vegetable item, for a family of four, this still represents 30% of the food budget, explains Dominique Marmier, president of the association, at the microphone ofAltin Lazaj. The same basket in metropolitan France is almost 50% more expensive in overseas territories. For some families, unfortunately, who do not have sufficient income, consuming fruits and vegetables is not permitted. This is not possible for them. This is why we are asking the government to set up a fruit and vegetable check that would allow these disadvantaged families or families with low incomes to be able to eat fruit and vegetables. »
Rural Families has also calculated that eating according to the recommendations of the National Health Nutrition Plan costs, for a family of four (two adults, a teenager and a child) between 450 euros, varying the products less but respecting the diversity of categories and seasonality, and 1,148 euros for a family “ organic enthusiast “. This is the overall monthly budget for feeding a family.
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The impact of energy cost
In general, Rural Families calls on public authorities to to develop a much more ambitious policy promoting healthy eating by allowing everyone to have access to it “. She believes that ” investing in a nutritional program combining prevention and help for the most precarious is the key to curbing the development of too many pathologies linked to the consumption of products that are too fatty, too sweet, too salty in too large quantities ».
« In addition, the forecasts are a little worrying because we can clearly see that raw materials in general are increasing, the cost of energy is increasing, continues Dominique Marmier. And this cost of energy also has a huge impact on the purchasing power of families. Revenues do not increase, precisely, according to these raw materials… And after that it is the food item that is put in difficulty. The concern is that food really has a direct impact on the health of our citizens. »
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The Rural Families survey was carried out over four periods, February, April, June and October 2021 in 148 stores (hypermarkets, supermarkets, predominantly own-brand brands such as hard-discounts, organic specialists), by a team of 107 “monitors consumption” in 37 departments.
(and with AFP)