A recent study conducted by Dalhousie University and consumer data company Caddle has found that for 45.5 per cent of Canadians, priority is being given to cost over nutrition when shopping for groceries. While those in higher income brackets were found to be less affected, a growing number of Canadians are finding it increasingly difficult to focus on the nutritional values of the foods they buy given the high prices.
63.3 per cent of the study’s 5,000 respondents also confirmed that they were concerned that their poor food choices could lead to long-term health problems. 49.2 per cent of those surveyed also said they had cut back their spending on meat or protein due to the high cost, while 46 per cent reported having reduced spending on fruits and vegetables due to food inflation.
When assessing the results based on age, 55 per cent of those of the Greatest Generation who were born between 1900 and 1945 were the most likely to prioritise cost. Millennials born between 1981 and 1996 were a close second at 53 per cent, while Gen Z’s born between 1997 to 2012 followed at 52.5 per cent. When it came to the impact of nutrition on health, millennials were found to be the most concerned at about 69 per cent.
Dalhousie University’s Sylvain Charlebois attributed part of this pressure to many millennials having children and realising they may not have sufficient money when shopping to provide a nutritious diet. Besides altering spending patterns when food shopping, many are also turning to food banks as they struggle to make ends meet.
According to Canada’s Food Price Report 2023, Canadian families can expect to spend as much as $1,065 more on food shopping next year as food inflation and insecurity are expected to persist. This amounts to an estimated five to seven per cent increase in food prices, with meat, dairy and vegetables expected to be the most impacted.
Food insecurity is having inadequate access to food as a result of financial limitations. People that suffer from food insecurity will be concerned about having enough food to eat and in extreme cases, may not eat for days.
Canadian Thanksgiving dinners are expected to be much changed this year thanks to high food inflation. Whether it is seeking cheaper alternatives for traditional staple dishes or reducing the number of guests that will be hosted for dinner, many are rethinking how they will be handling the holiday to keep it more affordable.
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