As the prices of beef and other staple foods rise, Calgarians are looking for ways to cut their grocery bills.
Consumers are facing higher beef prices due to a drought that paralyzed cattle production, and products like eggs, chicken and butter have crept in since January, according to Statistics Canada.
Calgarians on a tight budget can save by shopping at the affordable grocery market operated by the Alex Community Food Center in southeast Calgary.
The center’s staff say they nearly tripled business during the pandemic, selling products worth up to $ 1,000 a day.
“One of the things that we have seen over the course of the pandemic is certainly an increase in food insecurity,” said Darrell Howard, the Alex Community Food Center team leader.
“And we have certainly seen far more families than we did before the pandemic broke out.”
In collaboration with the non-profit Fresh Routes, the Alex offers an affordable market that gives residents the opportunity to buy discounted products.
CBC News asked Calgarians in the market for tips and tricks they use to keep grocery bills at bay.
to bake
“Bread, bannock, muffins, scones, cookies … we can make anything that children really want,” said Nerissa Jobe. (Julie Van Rosendaal / CBC)
“I would definitely pay attention to grain prices because [of] Definitely the weather lately, and if you can bake I would definitely suggest bake, ”said Nerissa Jobe.
“This saves a lot of money, especially when it gets cooler – and on your heating bill [too]because you only have the stove on. “
Discount markets
“I save money by buying flyers for certain protein bargains. Otherwise, I can get my products here at the Alex Food Market or H&W Produce,” says Daniel Loiselle, a volunteer at Alex.
Daniel Loiselle, a volunteer at the Alex Community Food Center in southeast Calgary. (Elise Stolte / CBC)
“It’s another great alternative to cheap produce in town. The best deal I got recently was a box of cherry tomatoes for $ 1.”
H&W Produce is located at 3508 32nd Ave. NE
The Flashfood app
The Flashfood app is free and allows users to quickly find discounted groceries in stores like Superstore and No Frills. (CBC)
“All food that normally ends up in a dumpster or is thrown away is perishable. It’s absolutely great food, and you can get it for half the price or less through the Flashfood app, ”said Laura Greenwood.
“You pay for it at Flashfood, go to your local no frills or superstore – because it makes loblaws – and pick it up.
“It’s meat and fruit crates and vegetable crates – like a huge $ 5 fruit crate, and in that fruit crate, you can get probably $ 15 worth of grapes. It’s crazy. It’s crazy.
“And if you have a freezer, man, it goes in the freezer.”
The Good Food Box program
The Good Food Box program allows everyone to purchase boxes of fresh fruits and vegetables at an affordable price. (Submitted by Kolade Kolawole-Boboye)
The Good Food Box program offers products that come directly from the sellers. It is operated as part of the Calgary Community Kitchen Program.
“You can buy in bulk and for really cheap,” Jobe said.
“So I think we’re getting the 40 to 50 pound box [for] only $ 35, and that will feed me and my three children for about two weeks [worth of] to produce.”
With files by Elise Stolte and the Calgary Eyeopener.
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