Here's how you can save money on groceries while inflation is high
Many shoppers in Metro Vancouver are looking for ways to stretch their grocery budget as they deal with the rising cost of food.
On Wednesday, Canada’s inflation rate hit 6.8 per cent, its highest level in 31 years. The latest increase is largely due to the rising cost of food and shelter, with prices at the grocery store reaching a 9.7 per cent increase since April 2021.
The rising cost has forced some shoppers to rethink their spending habits. Some now choose to stock up on sale items, while others are cutting back and buying less, like Vi Young.
"Every time I come in, it's getting higher and higher,” she told CTV News, gesturing to her ballooned grocery bill.
She said she usually splurges on groceries and takes advantage of the sales.
"I used to buy lots, you know, when there was a sale on. No sales on anymore,” she said. "When you're on a fixed income, you can't afford to spend. I'm worried what's going to happen in the future."
Other shoppers share her frustration, saying they can’t afford to buy like they used to.
"Well, it's not something I like … but what can you do?" said shopper Dave Walker, who’s cutting back on some of his groceries.
Another shopper, Teresa Vanbeek, said she’s going to stock up on cheaper items moving forward.
"We have quite a few kids. So, it costs a lot of money to feed them,” she said.
As Canadians feel the pressure of inflation, tens of thousands are using their smartphones to look for cheap food in the area.
Sam Kashani, the country manager of the Too Good To Go app, said he’s seeing thousands of new users joining every day.
"Obviously, inflation is a bit of a catalyst as more and more consumers are looking for alternate solutions to be able to reduce overall food costs,” he said.
The app – which connects users with local businesses offering "surprise bags" of leftover food that, while still good, would otherwise end up being thrown out – launched in Vancouver in September 2021. Kashani said there's a clear demand for affordable meals in the city.
"We’ve saved 400,000 meals across Canada and 110,000 of those are just in Vancouver,” he said.
Stuart Smyth, an associate professor of agricultural and resource economics at the University of Saskatchewan, said another way shoppers can cut back on grocery bills is by sharing the cost with friends, family members and neighbours.
“For example, (if) you're buying 20 pounds of meat, but you're splitting that up between three to four households, you're saving some money that way,” he said.
He advises people should also pay close attention to what's not being used and adjust buying habits.
"If you find out that you're throwing out a lot of leafy greens, then change how you're buying that into smaller packages,” Stuart said.
While it might be a frustrating time for shoppers, he said there are ways to cut back on costs without compromising too much — shop wisely, buy in bulk and split.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.