The benefits of buying "ethical" food at farmer's markets and organic grocers often comes at the expense of equal access, according to a new report.

The study, by University of Guelph researcher Kelly Hodgins and professor Evan Fraser, highlights a paradox within the "ethical eating" movement. While eating local or organic food is often touted as superior from a health, environmental and oftentimes ethical perspective, such foods are often available only in Canada to the wealthy, with limited access for those living on lower or even middle incomes.

The report finds a number of barriers that exist to prevent lower-income individuals from accessing these foods – reasons that often expand beyond higher prices.

"These spaces are classed and sort of yuppie, but they don't have to be as much as they are," Ms. Hodgins said in an interview. "Even if we were to eliminate that cost barrier, there's still a lot of social issues to overcome."

Read the full article by The Globe and Mail