An annual food price report indicates Canadians can expect to pay about $411 more for groceries in 2019.
The Northwestern Health Unit says the study is similar to the findings in our area.
Nutritionist Julie Slack says she doesn’t have all of the answers on how to remedy the problem, but suggests all we really need is more money.
Slack says the bigger issue is people on low income aren’t getting enough money and can’t afford food.
She notes as a result “we can’t pay the prices that we need to pay to have our local growers”.
Slack stresses we have stepped backwards in social assistance and minimum wage and suggests it’s time for governments to take action to address poverty rates in our region.
She says the right to food is a social justice issue and more conversation is needed on the topic of poverty.
Slack is also concerned with rising prices in vegetables, projected to go up 4%-6%, noting it’s already way too expensive to eat healthy.
