Many students are expressing their frustrations with how expensive food has gotten both in the cafeteria and the grocery store. Photo by Keiran Emard
Food prices continue to climb which is causing both businesses and consumers alike some problems at the checkout.
Since the start of the war between Ukraine and Russia began, food prices have continued to climb.
According to Statistics Canada, food prices have not increased like this since 1981, “Food prices in Canada jumped by 9.8 percent from a year earlier in August 2022, accelerating from a 9.2 percent rise in the previous month.”
Even though the prices are predicted to continually increase, not everyone is looking at this in a negative light.
Mark Dieser, manager of food services at Lethbridge College, says the prices can be seen as an opportunity to educate students.
“I think there’s benefits to it, in that we have to teach our students how to manage things better, control items better. So as far as our students, I won’t say it’s a bonus, but it’s a problem that we have to sort through and it helps us teach the students.”
While he thinks the increased prices do have a benefit for the culinary program, Dieser also thinks this will hit local businesses hard.
“There’s a big well known local restaurant that closed because of prices, because of some of the commodities and things. I’m not just talking food prices. Every bill I get has got a fuel surcharge on it, so it’s tough out there for businesses and every business not just restaurants,” says Dieser.
Many consumers are also feeling the increase in food prices.
Frankie Cantiaaoas, a local consumer, who shops at superstore says there are lots of things he can’t afford.
“So far it depends what you are buying, because its just the way how you save some money,” says Cantiaaoas.
Food prices are expected to continue to climb.
