York University Community Members React to Rising Food Prices Due to Inflation

Over the past year, everyone has heard the word “inflation” tossed around. In a recent poll by Nanos, inflation scored second place as the most important issue of national concern, just short of healthcare. With the increased gas prices, grocery bills, and all around costs of living, Canadians know the exhaustion and stress from the growing expenses. 

Food inflation is an area of concern for many Canadians. 

Earlier this month, City News reported that “food inflation outpaced overall inflation for months, with grocery prices hitting double-digit increases in 2022, and economists say it will take longer to subside than overall inflation.” 

Other reports predict that food expenses will increase this year.

Canada’s 2023 Food Price Report, conducted by Dalhousie University with University of Guelph and University of British Columbia, predicts in 2023 the “overall food prices will increase by five to seven per cent.” The report also anticipates that families will have an average annual food expenditure increase of around $1000 over the total annual cost in 2023. Evidence shows the high prices are here to stay, at least for a while. 

The anxiety from the cost of living is felt in the York University community – both students and alumni are making sacrifices to stay financially afloat. 

Sophia DeGasperis, a third-year student in health and society, mentions how she’s adopted  intermittent fasting into her routine, to help mitigate the costs. “I have people over to my apartment less often because I’m worried they’ll get hungry and I can’t always feed them,” DeGasperis says. 

The expenses impact the groceries DeGasperis purchases, “I eat more carbs than usual since rice and instant noodles are cheaper options which sometimes leaves me feeling drowsy and [with] low energy,” she adds. 

Nicolas Bolarinho, an alumnus who majored in sociology, mentions how he’s cutting costs. “I’m doing nothing at all in terms of leisure. I refuse to spend money on anything that’s an activity,” says Bolarinho.

“People are making choices to forgo their dreams or break the bank and risk losing everything for them,” he adds. “[They] are forced into either living with family later into life, or succumbing to working poverty.” 

These financial struggles are not exclusive to the York community. All across the country, Canadians are feeling the effects of inflation — especially in Toronto. CBC News reported last November on the increase in food bank usage where “Toronto food banks recorded 1.66 million visits between April 2021 and March 2022, up from 1.45 million the year before.” An updated report by CBC News this month also projected that 60% more Canadians per month are expected to use food banks and other programs in 2023, according to a report by Second Harvest, a Canadian food rescue charity.

It is clear that food inflation has significant consequences not only for York Community members, but for all Canadians.