Grocery cart economics hits home
Stretching a dollar and feeding your family — it’s something shoppers are finding harder to do these days.
“When I came to Canada in 2018 I can do groceries for just $100 in one month, and now it’s almost double,” said Prem Peep who just stocked up at his local No Frills in East London.
Brandy Shaw was out for her weekly shopping as well. She said she’s also seeing the upward trend in food prices and she’s none too pleased about it.
“Probably by 25 per cent I noticed, compared to this time last year,” said Shaw.
It’s not just shoppers with the bottom blues. At Berries Market in south London, CEO and President Husam Mohammad said he gets hit with bigger bills from suppliers, which he in turn has no choice but to pass along to consumers.CEO and President of Berries Market, Husam Mohammad, Jan. 25, 2022. (Bryan Bicknell / CTV News)“Which is unbelievable for the customer,” he said. He added that he understands their frustration. “Usually in the market there’s five per cent, 10 per. cent, but for time being sometimes 100 per cent.”
And whether temporary or longer term, some items appear to be in short supply.
A quick tour through a major chain grocery store in London Tuesday revealed a number of nearly empty shelves — something most Ontario shoppers aren’t accustomed to seeing.
Mohammad said the problem is often worse for smaller grocers that don’t have the same buying power as their mega-sized competitors. He said many factors are at play.
“Lot of labour they don’t like to work at this time because of their health. Lines of production going down at a lot of factories. They have two, three lines, they have 50 per cent or less than that, even for Canadian factories too.”
At Brescia University College in London, professor Peggy O’Neil said while it may seem like it, the higher prices didn’t happen over night.
O’Neil, who teaches Food, Leadership and Social Change said the issues affecting food prices and availability have been simmering for some time.Dr. Peggy O'Neil speaks with CTV News London via Zoom, Jan. 25, 2022. (Bryan Bicknell / CTV News)
“Prices of feed were higher for farmers and we saw labour interruptions at processing facilities, as well as increase in wages.
”Further, O’Neil said what we may not always see in shopping cart economics is how food inflation affects those living on a lower income.
“If you’re struggling economically, it already adds another factor, so nutrition is an important factor when food prices do go up. You’ve got to look at food as an investment and not a transaction.”
Back at No Frills, shopper Brandy Shaw said to look for the deals.
“Try to get as many discounts as you can and build up your points and try to buy stuff on sale when you can because it’s going to affect everything.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Person on fire outside Trump's hush money trial rushed away on a stretcher
A person who was on fire in a park outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump’s hush money trial is taking place has been rushed away on a stretcher.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Senators reject field trip to African Lion Safari amid elephant bill study
The Senate legal affairs committee has rejected a motion calling for members to take a $50,000 field trip to the African Lion Safari in southern Ontario to see the zoo's elephant exhibit.
CFIA monitoring for avian flu in Canadian dairy cattle after U.S. discoveries
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is encouraging veterinarians to keep an eye out for signs of avian influenza in dairy cattle following recent discoveries of cases of the disease in U.S. cow herds.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
Vancouver firefighter in rehab at home after losing leg to flesh-eating infection overseas
A family trip took a frightening turn for Christopher Won when he was diagnosed with flesh-eating disease while in Hong Kong and now, after weeks of treatment overseas, the Vancouver firefighter is back home recovering.