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
BREAKING Quebec judge orders bus driver to stand trial for 2023 daycare crash deaths
A judge has ordered a Quebec man to stand trial on charges of first-degree murder in the deaths of two children killed when a bus rammed into a Montreal-area daycare last year.
Trudeau promises $1B in loans for child-care providers to expand care centres
The federal government is launching a new loan program to help child-care providers in Canada expand their spaces, and will be extending further student loan forgiveness and training options for early childhood educators, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Thursday.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Krispy Kreme doughnuts coming to McDonald's in U.S., but not Canada
Canadians will be missing out on a sweet new partnership between McDonald's and Krispy Kreme, which will see doughnuts available at McDonald's locations across the U.S. by the end of 2026.
Where is the worst place for allergy sufferers in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
How do you navigate the social media minefield with your kids?
Growing fears about social media's harm have sparked lawsuits against social media companies from hundreds of school districts in the United States and now Canada. CTVNews.ca wants to know whether your children are addicted to social media or if you have concerns about their usage of platforms such as Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok and X.
BREAKING Calgary officer charged after allegedly assaulting handcuffed man
A Calgary police officer has been charged after allegedly assaulting a handcuffed man two years ago.