Vegetable prices are expected to climb. (file photo/paNOW Staff)

By Michael Joel-Hansen

Cost of living

Food prices set to climb nationally

Dec 4, 2019 | 2:33 PM

It looks like Canadians will be paying more for food in the future.

Researchers from the University of Guelph and Dalhousie University estimate the average Canadian family could spend an extra $400 on food for 2019 or 3.5 per cent overall.

Canada’s Food Price Report 2019, is a collaboration between the two universities. While looking at the overall cost consumers pay, the report as well looks at eight specific food categories. Vegetables are set to see the biggest price increase at between three to six per cent. The report is forecasting some decreases, specifically for meats, which are expected to drop by one to three per cent. Seafood prices could also drop by as much as two per cent.

Kim Scruby, executive director of the Prince Albert and District Food Bank, said these increases are not out of the ordinary.

“Last year we had about a similar increase in food inflation. It looks like it’s occurring in different sectors right now,” he said.

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Scruby explained anytime there is a cost of living increase, whether it’s for food or something like rent it is concerning given the people who are impacted.

“Lower income earners are hit the hardest,” he said.

Scruby said the cost of vegetables went up last year as well. While the report attributes climate change for a good chunk of the increase, Scruby speculated the carbon tax will also play role.

“I am not sure which or both are going to have the biggest impact on the eventual price,” he said.

Much of the fresh vegetables the food bank is able to get, tend to come in the fall when people are harvesting their gardens. Scruby said they will buy vegetables if they have the money and the price is reasonable. This is also the case with meat, where the food bank is generally dependent on donations.

“Its going to have an impact on households — are they going to be able to eat as healthy as they were,” Scruby said.

Currently Scruby said they are seeing numbers which are higher than the national average. While the most recent numbers show food bank usage down by one per cent nationally, in P.A. numbers are up by 10 per cent. Scruby explained food bank usage generally correlates with the health of the economy.

“If unemployment goes down, our hampers go down a bit and vice versa,” he said.

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MichaelJoel.Hansen@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @mjhskcdn