Grocery bills rise with inflation rates

Grocery store employees are noticing how the inflation rate increase is affecting Canadians. 

According to Canada’s Food Price Report, food insecurity will be a big issue for Canadians in 2022 with the food prices rising. Families and grocery store employees are seeing the rise in grocery bills. 

Olivia Christian is a cashier at Food Basics in a low-income neighbourhood. 

“People are definitely complaining about the price rises,” said Christian. “Especially the people who are only buying the essentials.”

Christian said the demographic of the people shopping at the Food Basics she works at are mostly big families and elderly people.

“I have seen an increase that is noticeable and I have got a lot of complaints about that, more people are starting to notice it,” said Christian.

Along with grocery store employees, families are noticing the price of produce and other essential foods rise. 

Christina Hamlin, a mother of three, is noticing how much her grocery bill is increasing. Hamlin said it is hard to change the food items she is used to buying because of her children. 

“I’ve noticed fruit has gone up,” said Hamlin. “Like for example, a pint of strawberries is almost $9 and I was paying $4.99. Luckily with me I try to price match.”

Hamlin has also noticed that some of her essential groceries have gone up 50 per cent. To try and save money she uses an app called ‘Flip” to price match.

“I can save $25 to $30 just by price matching,” said Hamlin.

Besides price matching, Hamlin also started buying in bulk when going grocery shopping.

“I’m trying to stock up with more dry goods,” said Hamlin. “I’m trying to buy more in bulk now.” said Hamlin. “I’ve noticed even the grocery store the shelves are limited.”

For more information on Canada’s Food Price Report and predictions for 2022 click here.