Edmontonians concerned as grocery prices continue to rise

Gas prices have dropped in Alberta recently and they are continuing to drop. But, that’s not the case for grocery prices.

Statistics Canada says grocery prices are up 11.4 per cent annually, and this is causing concerns for Edmontonians.

“We find a lot of the things like easy foods, the KD snack packs for instance or Mr. Noodles have gone up like 50 per cent and in other cases even more than that,” said an Edmontonian CityNews spoke to.

Inflation is putting pressure on consumers over the holiday season, which is leading to low numbers at the food bank.

Local charity organizer Daniel Johnstone – better known as “Can Man Dan” – sees the need for groceries growing as inflation rises unchecked.

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“The foodbank is only about just over halfway for their holiday campaign so it’s pretty dire because food is literally going out faster than it’s coming in so it’s pretty scary,” said Johnstone.

Johnstone runs the Can Man Dan Foundation and says there has been a steep decline in donations this year, and many children and their families are in need.

“An empty food bank means a lot of empty stomachs. A lot of those users are kids, so its very important especially now,” he explained.

Grocery inflation is expected to continue in 2023, with another 5 per cent hike or more.

“Times are tough for everyone, but those are the times we’ve got to pull together and make things work because we can’t have hungry kids.”