Originally published December 10, 2021.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and disruptions in our supply chain, Canadians can expect to pay more at the grocery store in 2022.

The Canadian Food Price Report, released December 9, suggest that retail food price inflation is likely to rise to five or six per cent in the near term, driven primarily by strong demand colliding with these supply chain constraints which include rising energy costs, transportation and labour shortages. In real dollars, this means that Canadian families will spend an extra $966 on groceries in 2022, putting their annual grocery bill at close to $15,000.

We know that food inflation will further stretch the budgets of our residents and we want to ensure the community that The Food Bank and our network will be able to provide emergency food assistance and vital supports for those in need. Our team has also compiled some tips to help people and families stretch financial resources a little further needing additional assistance:

1.  Look for sales: Check grocery store flyers, newspapers and online advertisements to see what items are on sale.
2. Stick to a grocery list: Ensure your grocery list contains food to help make healthy meals and snacks. Lists can also help make sure you are making effective use of perishable food items.
3. Use coupons: A “good deal” can encourage us to buy things we may never eat. Make sure you are clipping coupons for food items you will actually use.
4. Shop at the right place: Grocery stores can range significantly in price. Make sure you are shopping at stores that suit your budget. Avoid convenience stores or small specialty shops where possible if affordability is the number one concern.
5. Get to know food prices: While sale tags may be appealing, some sales may be deceiving. Make sure you know what food items cost and ensure you are stocking up at the right price.
6. Buy in-season: In-season fruits and vegetables are often more affordable than out-of-season ones. If the price is still out of range, buy frozen or canned and rinse off any excess sodium before use.
7. Buy store brand: Store brand food items are just as good as the name brand items and offer the same nutritional value.
8. Stock up on basics: When staple kitchen items like rice and pasta go on sale, stock up if you have the room. For items like spices or whole grains, buy from the bulk bins to save money.
9. Meal plan: Planning out your meals will help you shop more efficiently and ensure you are eating healthy, nutritious meals throughout the week.
10. Store food properly: Food can go bad quickly if not stored at the appropriate temperature. Keep potatoes in a cool, dark place, apples in the refrigerator crisper and mushrooms in a paper bag in the fridge.

For more money saving tips, click here.