Food Freedom Day doesn’t reflect everyone’s reality

As published in The Record on February 18, 2026.

Up until February 8, the average Canadian household was spending every dollar it earned on groceries. That day—known as Food Freedom Day—marks the point in the year when households with an average income have finally earned enough to cover their annual food costs. Until then, according to the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, every paycheque goes toward putting food on the table.

But Food Freedom Day is just an average—and it doesn’t reflect everyone’s reality.

For households earning less than the average income, this milestone can come weeks or even months later, as they work longer just to afford their annual grocery bill. Rising food prices are making that gap even wider.

According to Canada’s Food Price Report 2026, overall food prices are expected to rise by four to six per cent this year. A family of four is projected to spend nearly $18,000 on food—almost $1,000 more than in 2025. For households already living paycheque to paycheque, that increase will be felt immediately.

Many may have to buy less food or choose cheaper, less nutritious options. Some may need to reduce meal sizes or skip meals altogether. Others may have no choice but to rely on local food assistance programs to avoid going hungry.

In Waterloo region, one in nine households already struggles to afford food and relies on food assistance through one of The Food Bank of Waterloo Region’s partners in the Community Food Assistance Network. Unfortunately, with rising food costs, we expect to see even more households pushed into food insecurity, forced to turn to food support to meet their basic needs.

While we know people experiencing food insecurity and poverty can’t simply budget their way out of it, there are still practical ways to save money on groceries. Apps like Flipp and the locally-developed Skrimp.ai can help shoppers find deals and plan meals, and our blog at thefoodbank.ca/food offers a range of healthy, budget-friendly recipes.

Another simple but often overlooked way to save money is to avoid throwing out perfectly good food just because a best before date has passed. A best before date indicates how long a product will maintain peak quality in taste and texture—it doesn’t mean the food becomes unsafe the next day. Many foods remain safe to eat well beyond that date. An expiry date, on the other hand, marks the last day a product can be safely consumed. Foods with expiry dates should never be eaten after that point due to the risk of bacterial growth, spoilage, or loss of nutritional value.

As an affiliate of Food Banks Canada, The Food Bank follows national guidelines that allow us to safely distribute canned goods up to two years past their best before date, boxed and bagged items up to one year, salad dressings and mayonnaise up to six months, and natural peanut butter and tetra packs up to three months. Baby food, formula, and meal replacements are never used past their expiry date.

These practices—grounded in food safety, stewardship, and dignity—aren’t just for food banks; they’re for everyone. Following these guidelines at home can help you reduce the amount of food you waste and make the most of the groceries you buy.

For those struggling to afford food, know that The Food Bank and our Network partners are here to help. The Network consists of 61 organizations operating more than 120 food assistance programs across Waterloo region. Households on tight budgets can visit a nearby hamper program to receive a selection of fresh, frozen, and non-perishable foods, or attend a meal program to enjoy a warm plate while connecting with others in our community.

To learn more about available food assistance programs, please call our Centralized Food Assistance Outreach line at 519-743-5576, extension 340, chat with us online at thefoodbank.ca (just click the chat icon in the bottom right-hand corner of the homepage), or visit thefoodbank.ca/network/map for an up-to-date listing of programs, supports, and services available across Waterloo region.

If you’re in position to help feed our neighbours in need, there are many ways to get involved. Financial donations can be made online at thefoodbank.ca/donate, and non-perishable food items can be dropped off at any grocery store or police, fire, or paramedic station in Kitchener-Waterloo. You can also organize a food and fund drive, collecting donations from family, friends, and co-workers. Go to thefoodbank.ca/ffd to learn more. Volunteers are always needed as well. Visit thefoodbank.ca/volunteer to explore the opportunities available.

Food Freedom Day reflects an average, but for too many families in our community, high grocery prices make that day impossible to reach. By understanding the reality behind the numbers and working together with compassion, we can help ensure every household in Waterloo region has access to the food they need, when they need it.

Kim Wilhelm, CEO, The Food Bank of Waterloo Region