How much does a nutritious diet cost in Quebec? Alima’s 2025-2026 Nutritious and Affordable Food Basket (NAFB) annual report documents the cost of a basic balanced diet and highlights the financial difficulties many families face in accessing it.
Here are the main highlights of the report:
- $293 per week: This is the estimated cost of a basic nutritious diet for a family of four, or $15,280 per year.
- +1% in one year: Between July 2025 and July 2026, the cost of the basket increased slightly. However, certain categories saw larger increases: meat (+13%), fresh fruit (+12%), and basic grain products (+7%).
- $184 monthly shortfall: For the most common household type among Alima’s clients, income is not enough to cover housing and the cost of a basic nutritious diet, even before accounting for other essential expenses.
- 68% of pregnant women supported by Alima live in moderate or severe food insecurity, meaning they have difficulty obtaining sufficient quantity or quality of food.
- The additional needs associated with pregnancy and breastfeeding represent $64 and $40 per month, respectively.
- Nearly 12,000 kg of food distributed: In 2025–2026, Alima provided food to families using its services to meet their immediate needs.
Emergency food assistance provides essential relief to families, but it cannot, on its own, resolve the economic barriers to accessing a nutritious diet. By documenting the cost of the basket and the reality lived by households, the NAFB contributes to discussions on food security and sustainable solutions to reduce poverty.
Read the 2025–2026 NAFB report (in French only) to discover all the findings.
Download the highlights