For 60-year-old Marlene Noble, the lower quality and variety of food strikes her even worse when she remembers that she is paying much more for it.
“Especially with meat, it’s very difficult. Not only do I buy less, I know I’m getting an inferior product, it looks noticeably worse,” she said.
A Food Price Report conducted by the Angus Reid Institute shows 46 per cent of Canadian consumers are switching to cheaper brands at the grocery store, as well as making changes in their eating habits.
One-third are reducing the meat consumed, while one in five are said to be buying less fresh fruit and vegetables.
This year’s report predicted a family of four will have an annual food expenditure of up to $14,767, an increase of up to $966 from the 2021 annual cost.
Retired teacher Shamima Bun said the impact was clear. She used to go out to eat with her husband once a week, but with the sudden change in prices, that habit is now behind them.
“We used to eat outside once a week, now I’m preparing my meals at home. It is impossible to eat outside,” she says. “Also, I used to buy coffee every day and now I only do it when I absolutely feel that I have to.
“I feel that everything has gone up, is certainly very difficult for the low-income population,” she said.
Among the factors that caused this increase in food prices are inflation, high energy prices, labour shortages, supply chain snarls, and the impact of adverse weather events linked to climate change.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine is adding new pressure on global energy and food prices.
Higher prices for farmers for their milk and butter came into effect on Feb. 1, impacting food prices, according to the Canadian Dairy Commission.
This is the largest annual increase in history and nearly twice the previous record.
“I think COVID has made things worse in every aspect of our lives, including the prices of food, gas, power, everything,” said Laura Moreno, 27, who works at her family’s company.
“It’s been a whole chain because everything is tied to the other, so is the price of power increases, so does the price of food, and so on,” she said. “I think Millennials will certainly struggle more to afford housing and basic needs.”
Flo Brown, 60, says the scenario is even worse for those who suffer from a medical condition, such as high blood pressure or diabetes.
“I somehow have to keep my eating habits as close to what they used to be, for my health. It hasn’t been easy for anyone with a medical condition,” she said.
Last month, Canada’s annual inflation rate reached above five per cent for the first time since September 1991, according to Statistics Canada.
The food price report also warned that rising food costs will also worsen food insecurity, in turn increasing demand for food bank programs.