Food prices have risen significantly over the last 3 years. File photo/The Canadian Press

By Doug Lett

Inflation food prices

Food prices rose significantly over last 3 years

Mar 3, 2023 | 3:00 PM

The pensioner was driving a beat up, old quarter-ton truck with a plywood sheet on one of the windows. Parked outside a grocery store, he was blunt about the cost of food.

“Like I’m 74 years old….and this is horrible,” said the man, who did not want to be identified. “I found out that a crispy, crunchy chocolate bar kind of fills you up for the day….I’m not kidding.”

“I bought about, I’d say about $7 worth of groceries yesterday and paid $25 for it – I’m talking about (prices) two years back,” he continued.

The man said he is trying various strategies, like eating a lot of hot dog weiners— something he hasn’t done for years. And he plans on having a garden this coming year.

“I’m eating less and less…food prices right now are just a total ripoff,” he said.

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He’s not alone.

“It’s ridiculous,” said shopper Ken Davis. “I used to be able to eat on 250, 300 bucks a month,” he said. “Now it’s up to about $400, headed for $500.” But he added there isn’t much consumers can do.

“You’ve got to eat— that’s number one,” he said. “Eat, and heat.”

StatCan released a study this week, showing how much dozens of food prices have risen over the last three years, from January of 2020 to January of 2023. Here are a few of the numbers:

• 11 per cent more for hamburger, from $9.56 per kilo to $10.64
• 19 per cent more for potatoes, from $3.85 per kilo to $4.59
• 25 per cent more for milk, from $2.51 per litre to $2.89
• 64 per cent more for margarine, from $4.36 for 907 grams to $7.15
• 27 per cent more for eggs, from $3.45 per dozen to $4.38
• 25 per cent more for apples, from $4.28 per kilo to $5.36
• 24 per cent for carrots, from $2.86 for 1.36 kilos to $3.54
• 25 per cent for white bread, from $2.93 per 675 grams to $3.65
• 11 per cent for frozen peas, from $3.01 per 750 grams to $3.33
• 54 per cent for dry or fresh pasta, from $2.35 for 500 grams to $3.63

Shoppers are feeling the pinch. Shannon McLaren pointed to a partially filled shopping cart she was starting to unload.

“I just spent $200 on groceries and didn’t get very much,” said McLaren. “That’s it for $200.”

“So it’s ridiculous,” she added. “I’m glad we’re cattle ranchers…if I had to buy beef, I don’t know if I’d be able to.”

The director of Melfort’s food bank said many are struggling.

“We’re seeing that lots of people can’t afford the healthy food,” said Ellen Zuk. “Because that’s what rises up in price all the time. The meat, vegetables, fruit,” she said.

“Lots of working people…they’re working, but it just doesn’t— paychecks just don’t last like they used to.”

Last month, the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada released a report that said “Many Canadians are facing the biggest financial challenges of their lives.”

The report found the percentage of Canadians who are borrowing money to cover daily expenses jumped from 26 per cent in 2020 to 38 per cent by September of 2022.

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doug.lett@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @DougLettSK