{"id":67526,"date":"2022-11-01T06:23:12","date_gmt":"2022-11-01T12:23:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/saitjournalism.ca\/?p=67526"},"modified":"2022-11-01T06:23:12","modified_gmt":"2022-11-01T12:23:12","slug":"rising-food-prices-and-what-calgary-residents-can-do-to-work-around-them","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/saitjournalism.ca\/thepress\/2022\/11\/01\/rising-food-prices-and-what-calgary-residents-can-do-to-work-around-them\/","title":{"rendered":"Rising food prices and what Calgary residents can do to work around them"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The fall goodie season begins:<\/strong> The harvest of the season packaged and arranged so that no bag gets left behind at the Calgary Farmers\u2019 Market South location in Calgary, Alberta on Saturday, Sept 24, 2022. Along with fruits, veggie farmer\u2019s get the most attention in the Farmers\u2019 Market. (Photo by Pamela Olea\/The Press)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I<\/span>nflating food prices are complicating Calgary resident’s attempts to lead a healthy lifestyle and buy affordable groceries amid difficult times, ranging from weather conditions to rising prices for produce importers outside Canada.<\/p>\n

C<\/span>anada\u2019s main fresh food importer, the U.S, contributes 41.6 per cent of Canada’s fresh produce, with provider farms based in California such as the Earthbound Farm \u2013 which supplies Canada with greens like spinach, lettuce, kale, and arugula \u2013 Canadians rely on the U.S for most of their fresh goods.<\/p>\n

Aside from weather complications that fall and winter seasons bring Canadian farmers, the rising costs for producers outside the country complicate the harvesting process, therefore amping up supermarkets\u2019 grocery prices for the general public.<\/p>\n

Ukraine \u2014 as a result of the Russian invasion \u2014 has faced a tremendous setback in food production and therefore, has ceased to export outside the country.<\/p>\n

Aside from industrial machinery, Ukraine exports wheat and other grain products to much of the world.<\/p>\n

According to Canada\u2019s 2022 Food Price Report, the price of wheat and grain products, as well as vegetables, will inflate from five to seven per cent for the remainder of the year, including the first months of 2023.<\/p>\n

In the case of Calgary\u2019s immigrant families and other low-income households \u2013 grocery shopping can be a great challenge, especially if there is a significant gap between the economy of Canada and the family\u2019s country of origin.<\/p>\n

A 2022 calculation made on Food Freedom Day by the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA)<\/a> revealed that on average, a Canadian household spends about 10.7 per cent of total income on groceries.<\/p>\n

Carlos Sotelo, the father of an immigrant family of five, spends up to 15 per cent of his and his wife\u2019s, Veronica Ru\u00edz, shared income on grocery shopping.<\/p>\n

Given the couple works remotely on a marketing business, they embarked on while living in Mexico, the family\u2019s income currency is Mexican Pesos (MXN), which further entangles their economic state when having to pay their bills in Canadian Dollars (CAD).<\/p>\n

Sotelo said that a way he and his family have found optimal to stay on budget while grocery shopping is to cross shop.<\/p>\n

\u201cWalmart ended up being a very good place to shop for groceries,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt gives us a really nice balance between what we can buy in Costco and our overall needs,\u201d Sotelo added.\u00a0In his case, there\u2019s still one issue without a solution: importers to Canada and supply chain costs.<\/p>\n

Irrefutably, the Calgary Farmers\u2019 Market<\/a> is a fair alternative for those who prioritize maintaining the quality they consume.<\/p>\n

Consuming locally has many benefits, from boosting Calgary\u2019s economy, supporting farmers and small businesses, and eliminating the damage heavily processed food inflicts on the human body.<\/p>\n

Emily Hawkins, a baking and cooking enthusiast and mother of two kids says, \u201cThe Calgary Farmers Market is a lovely place for me and my family to spend time,\u201d she continued, \u201cThe fruits and veggies here are my favourites to cook with.\u201d<\/p>\n

Implementing techniques like cross shopping, designing a meal plan, having a sturdy grocery list, designating a percentage of money for food, etc., is crucial for tackling the difficulties that come with inflation, thus, finding the way to best curate a plan to help meet each person\u2019s individual needs.<\/p>\n

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A treat for all:<\/strong> A wide variety of produce is offered at the Calgary Farmers\u2019 Market South location in Calgary, Alberta, on Saturday, Sept 24, 2022. The Farmers\u2019 Market keeps every customer in mind in offering gluten-free and vegan options in various foods. (Photo by Pamela Olea\/The Press)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Inflating food prices complicate Calgary\u2019s residents\u2019 attempt to lead a healthy lifestyle and buy affordable groceries amid difficult times, ranging from weather conditions to rising prices for produce importers outside Canada.
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