I recently went to buy groceries and walked out with only half of what I needed and a much emptier wallet than I expected. Even though inflation is slowing, grocery prices in Canada keep climbing.
Statistics Canada shows that in September 2025, food prices were about 4 per cent higher than last year. For many Canadians, that number isn’t just a statistic, it’s a weekly struggle to put fresh, healthy food on the table.
According to the 2025 CFPR, meat prices are expected to rise four to six per cent, vegetables three to five per cent, bakery and dairy two to four per cent, and the overall food price increase for the year is forecast at three to five per cent.
Over the past year, many Canadians have changed the way they shop for groceries. According to the 2025 CFPR, 48.2 per cent of people said they looked for more sales and discounts. Others said that buying fewer non-essential items (22 per cent), switching to cheaper brands (21.6 per cent), or shopping at less expensive stores (24.9 per cent).
At the same time, more people are relying on food banks. In March 2024, Food Banks Canada recorded 2,059,636 visits a six per cent increase from the year before and almost double the number from five years ago. Many of those visiting food banks are working, with nearly one in five clients employed, showing that even people with jobs are struggling to afford groceries.
Managing a household budget is hard enough without having to make tough choices at the grocery store.
Researchers at Dalhousie University predict that in 2026, food prices could rise another four to six per cent, with meat increasing the most.
According to the report from Canada Beef, beef alone could go up seven per cent because of smaller cattle, tariffs, and fewer ranchers. When beef gets more expensive, so does chicken, and even basic items like canned goods are no longer a “safe” option for families trying to stretch their budgets.
This means that even the centre aisles of the store, where people often run to escape inflation, will no longer offer relief.
Food insecurity in Canada is getting worse. The Daily Bread Food Bank’s Who’s Hungry report shows that food-bank visits in Toronto reached 4.1 million in just one year, the highest number ever. Before the pandemic, Daily Bread served about 60,000 people every month. Now, that number has jumped to 330,000.
This is not normal. And it is not sustainable. Healthy food shouldn’t feel like a luxury, but for many, it does.
I know global supply problems, bad weather, and higher labour costs make food more expensive. But Canada’s grocery industry said that when big grocery stores keep raising prices while making big profits, it shows they care more about money than need.
The worst part is that we don’t know why prices keep going up, and everyone has to pay for it.
Food is a basic necessity. Skipping meals or settling for low-quality options affects health, energy, and overall well-being. No one should feel stressed walking into a supermarket.
It's time for stronger government oversight. Grocery stores should be required to explain why they raise prices and be more transparent about their costs. This isn’t about punishing businesses, it’s about fairness.
Other countries keep grocery prices reasonable while still supporting the food industry. Canada can do that too.
I want to buy groceries without worrying that healthy food is becoming too expensive. Big grocery chains need to be held accountable because food is a basic need, not something to take advantage of.
OECD Economic Survey of Canada shows that other countries have implemented policies requiring grocery chains to justify price increases while supporting the industry. Canada could adopt similar measures to protect households.
basic items like canned goods are no longer a “safe” option for families trying to stretch their budgets.
