With rising food prices, many shoppers are choosing between fresh fruits and vegetables or cheaper canned goods. (Paul Daly / CBC)
According to his calculation, Lincoln Addison’s grocery bill has risen by at least 20 percent in just the past two weeks.
Buying a family of four in St. John’s, Addison says he has seen the cost of everything increase, especially fresh, healthy food and traditional dinner table staples, which has led his family to make difficult decisions.
“I’d say we’ve had to change … less meat. Less fruit and vegetables. Trying to put more stuff in cans. More frozen stuff.”
Addison is not alone. The cost of food in the province makes everyone pay attention to their food bill.
“I’m going to stock up on sales,” said Nina Goudie, also of St. John’s.
“I’m not going to buy certain things. I’ll wait. Some things have been left out of the list, so it’s about being a little more strategic. I’m definitely shopping at four grocery stores and looking for deals.”
Goudie says she and her husband are considered lucky because they have an incoming pension. But he cares about those around him.
“The federal government determined that you needed a minimum of $ 2,000 a month for people to survive, but people who are less fortunate and have an income are still expected to pay the rent in some way. “Food, the telephone, the Internet, which is an essential service. Now, about half of that. So that’s my concern,” he said.
“I think it’s horrible. I really don’t know how people are being handled.”
Bridges to Hope manager Jody Williams says more and more people are seeing more than ever before at a food bank, from students to seniors, as the price of food increases. (Katie Breen / CBC)
In short, not everyone is managing.
Bridges to Hope manager Jody Williams says more and more people are entering who have never used a food bank before, and are often ashamed to see themselves doing so.
“They’re frustrated,” Willliams said. “Unfortunately, there’s a bit of stigma. No one really wants to go to a food bank by themselves. So I guess there’s a little bit of annoyance and embarrassment.”
“Now, we try to make everyone’s experience here as positive as possible. But you certainly know, if you have to go to a food bank for the first time in your life, it’s going to give you some “The fact that you have to go to a food bank is a sign, you know, that things are not right for you right now. We are in a terrible time.”
With Bridges to Hope often buying food on its own, in some cases to make up for organized food gatherings by workplaces that did not occur due to the number of people who have been working from home for the past two years, l Rising food costs are a concern as well.
Food prices have sent Nina Goudie into the bargain-hunting mode, but she worries more about people with income support, who are not so well equipped to cope with rising costs. (Ted Dillon / CBC)
In March, Finance Minister Siobhan Coady announced measures to combat rising cost of living, including an increase in the income supplement and a one-time benefit for those receiving income support.
It’s not just a provincial issue. Pandemic-induced supply chain problems were already putting pressure on food prices before the Russian invasion of Ukraine turned the world oil and gas market upside down.
Since Newfoundland and Labrador announced the measures, food prices have continued to rise and the average price of gas in Newfoundland and Labrador is nearly 40 cents more expensive per liter.
George Masswohl is seeing the difference by returning to the province after spending a few months in Ontario.
“There are some things [in the grocery store] that cost three times what they did last time there, “Masswohl said.
“They’re up here like they’re everywhere.”
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