Thousands line up for free groceries amid rising food prices

FILE: Groceries are seen at a checkout counter. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

Rising grocery prices are continuing to strain household budgets across Canada, with more people turning to community support as the cost of basic food remains high.

In Calgary, thousands lined up on a chilly spring day for free groceries from the Guru Nanak Free Kitchen, a non-profit distributing 80,000 pounds of potatoes along with other staples.

The line stretched for blocks, with some people waiting for more than an hour. Many arrived with bags, wagons, and suitcases, hoping to stock up on essentials.

“The lineup’s impressive,” said Evan Godfrey, a Calgary resident. “I think there’s a lot of people that are kind of on harder times.”

Godfrey said rising food costs are putting pressure on his budget.

“The cost of groceries has basically doubled, compared to most of my other bills,” he said.

Volunteers say the demand reflects growing affordability challenges, even for those who may not typically rely on food support.

“For some people, this is absolutely necessary,” said Darshan Khunkhun, a volunteer with the organization. “For other people it may not be absolutely necessary, but what it does is it gives them this little bit of flexibility.”

Some in line said even a small amount of free food can ease financial strain.

“It definitely helps,” said Israel Anikwe. “This takes a lot off that load.”

New data from Statistics Canada shows grocery prices rose 4.4 per cent year over year, adding to cost-of-living pressures being felt nationwide.

• READ MORE: These common grocery items saw the biggest price jumps in February

The Alberta government said this week it plans to meet with major grocers to explore ways to address affordability.

“While many of the pressures on food prices are national and global, we’re focused on what we can change locally to increase competition and help lower prices for Albertans,” the province told CTV News in a statement.

• READ MORE: Alberta targets grocery prices as food inflation lingers

Moshe Lander, an economics professor at Concordia University, said the issue is not just rising prices, but incomes failing to keep pace.

“If you take a look at the data, our income has been lagging behind inflation for years. That’s where the problem lies,” he said.

Lander added that limited competition across sectors, including grocery retail, is also keeping prices elevated.

“The government really needs to take a look at its competition policy, take a look at how to pry open a lot of these cosseted sectors, and explain to Canadians that the problem here is not inflation,” he said.