The Cost of a Healthy Food Basket in Northern Ireland in 2020

“This study presents the fourth assessment of the cost of a minimum essential food basket in Northern Ireland based on the Minimal Essential Standard of Living (MESL). Commissioned as part of the Food Standards Agency’s role in monitoring food poverty in Northern Ireland, the research contributes to evidence supporting policy and collaborative action through the All‑Island Food Poverty Network, co‑chaired by the FSA in Northern Ireland and Safefood. The research applies a Consensual Budget Standards methodology, a consumer‑led approach that defines minimum living standards through deliberative focus groups rather than expert prescription. Participants developed food menus that meet nutritional requirements and reflect what is considered socially acceptable and essential, resulting in an agreed minimum standard below which people should not be expected to live. The study estimates the cost of minimum essential food baskets for four low‑income household types, with costs uprated to 2020 prices using the UK Consumer Price Index. Findings show that food affordability remains a significant challenge for low‑income households, with between 24% and 46% of take‑home income required to meet basic, nutritionally adequate food needs. Costs were highest for households with an adolescent, which required approximately one third more expenditure than comparable households with younger children. These findings highlight the ongoing pressures of food costs on household budgets and provide important evidence to inform strategies aimed at reducing food poverty in Northern Ireland.”