As people in Canada’s capital get ready for a new year, many are feeling the pressure of rising costs, especially at the grocery store. For Ottawa resident Nick Marengere, the sticker shock comes at the checkout line. He says what used to fill his cart now barely fills a couple of bags. “I used to be able to get six bags of groceries for 200 bucks,” said Marengere, who adds that he was expecting to spend close to $300 for roughly two bags of groceries on Wednesday. A new Nanos Research survey shows grocery prices are the top financial concern for Canadians heading into the new year. Personal debt, housing costs and job security also rank high. The latest food price report by Dalhousie University’s Agri-Food Analytics Lab says a family of four can expect to spend an additional $994 on groceries in 2026. One expert says there are ways to save where possible. “Because it is the holidays, we’re going to try and cook a lot and then we really do need to freeze it, and save it afterwards,” said Denise Philippe of the National Zero Waste Council. “So hopefully we’re still eating our Christmas dinners at the end of January, but we’re pulling them out of the freezer. They’re still tasting yummy.” For some shoppers, the price of fresh food is hardest to handle. “Well, I think they’re quite high, especially for fresh vegetables,” said Gloria Sorge. For others, the search for discounts is now a daily routine. “I’m here every day and I’m going for the low items,” said shopper Paolo Santurbano. “It’s crazy.” With grocery prices so high, some shoppers say they understand the allure of fast food. “I can understand also why families will go to McDonald’s or pizzas, because it’s cheaper to feed a family that way,” said shopper John Van Geene.
