As prices soar, foodbanks brace for higher demand into 2023
The surge in food prices is expected to continue into the New Year, according to a new report.
Canada’s Food Price Report indicates Canadians will be spending five to seven per cent more in groceries in 2023.
For a family of four, that equals to $16,288 per year, a $1,065 increase from 2022.
Simon Somogyi is a Guelph University professor who worked on the study.
“One of the highest periods of food price inflation in the last 40 years, so it’s very tough for Canadian families,” he said.
Somogyi said general inflation, the war in Ukraine, drought in the United States and a low Canadian dollar contributed to rising prices.
For food banks that have seen an increase in visitors, the news is concerning.
A report released by Feed Ontario last month found food bank usage is at an all-time high and there’s been a 64 per cent increase in first-time users in Ontario.
Dan Xilon, executive director of the Sudbury Food Bank, said he’s not surprised.
“There’s so many things out there like wars and famine and also shortages, drought. It’s not really a surprise that we’re going to have the challenges through 2023,” said Xilon.
“The question is, as the food bank, how are we going to handle those challenges?”
He said milk is already set to rise next year and jam is more expensive, leading to the food bank stopping carrying it for now.
Xilon said an increase in demand for food is unavoidable.
“In this food report, they’re saying food costs (are) going up seven, eight, 12 per cent,” he said.
“I don’t know anyone who’s getting those kind of raises, especially into 2023.”
Somogyi expects grocery prices will be high at the start of 2023, but then things will change.
“We’ll see food prices spike at the start of the year and then, from the middle of the year onwards, they’ll drop,” he said.
“So in 12 months from now, we’ll see lower prices into 2024.”
To curb the costs, Somogyi recommended shopping where there are deals, choosing frozen produce over fresh when possible and buying in bulk.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trudeau acknowledges charges in Nijjar killing, calls for commitment to democracy
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has acknowledged the charges laid Friday in relation to the murder of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
Princess Anne lays wreath at B.C. veteran's cemetery; receives 21-gun salute
Princess Anne paid tribute to veterans buried at a cemetery in British Columbia today, laying a wreath to honour the more than 2,500 military personnel and family members buried there.
Mystik Dan wins the 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in a three-horse photo finish
Mystik Dan won the 150th Kentucky Derby in a photo finish, edging out Forever Young and Sierra Leone for the upset victory.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.