How to Prepare for Rising Food Costs
The new year is a time for reflection and setting intentions for the future. At Nourish, this means thinking about the health of our communities and making sure Nova Scotians have access to enough of the foods they enjoy.
A new report on food costs from Dalhousie University has shown that in 2022, food prices are expected to rise anywhere from 5% to 7%; that is an increase of up to $966 per year for an average family of four. Update: The 2023 Food Price Report from Dalhousie predicts a further 5%-7% rise in 2023.
Here are some things you can do to prepare:
Make a grocery list. This can help you plan your meals around what is on sale that week and reduce your waste.
Pick plant proteins more often. Plant-based proteins like tofu, chickpeas, or lentils are usually less expensive and more environmentally friendly.
Try some of our favourite plant-based recipes like this Moroccan Stew, or Tofu Stir Fry.
Unsure if your family will be on board? Try a recipe like this Hearty Beef Chili but substitute half of the ground meat with black or kidney beans!
Buy essential dry goods in bulk. Purchasing dry goods like rice, beans or coffee in bulk can be a money-saver if you have the space and funds available to do so. Be sure to purchase items you and your family will eat and enjoy!
Go for seasonal produce. In-season produce is often more plentiful and reduces travel costs. In January, look for winter vegetables like squash, carrots, or brussels sprouts.
Try store or “no-name” brands. These items are often just as good (or better!) than the name-brand and less costly.
Love your leftovers. Leftovers can be eaten the next day, frozen, or repurposed. Try leaving yourself a reminder so they don’t get lost in the fridge.
While the strategies above won’t make up for all the new costs, they can certainly help lower your food budget. If you’re thinking about how to support your community as food costs rise, here are some things you can try:
Go beyond the food drive. Food banks are important for emergency food access, but they do not solve hunger. If donating to a food drive is part of your holiday regime, consider also donating your time or money elsewhere to those creating long-term solutions, like Nourish or Food First NL.
Get involved. It might seem simple, but people need to have enough money to pay for the food they need. You can advocate for increases in wages or a basic universal income with groups like UBI Works or the Basic Income Canada Network. You can also support a national school food program in Canada that would reduce food costs for families.
Check-in with community. The stress of rising food costs can be physically and emotionally exhausting. Make sure to check in with friends and neighbours to see if they need support.