SHOPPERS PAID 8.7 PER CENT MORE FOR FOOD IN MARCH

More Midland-area residents are having a tough time making ends meet, as food prices continue to climb.

Shoppers paid 8.7 per cent more for food in March compared to the same month last year, up from a 7.4 per cent increase in February, according to Statistics Canada.

"It's definitely affecting people," said Janet Pattullo, who runs the St. Vincent de Paul food bank in Victoria Harbour. "Some of our families were doing OK. They weren't coming to the food bank over the last year, and now they are back."

Pattullo said the impact of inflation is hitting residents of Victoria Harbour particularly hard, as most commute to work. Skyhigh

gas prices, which sat at 183.9 cents per litre on May 9, leave many families with less funds to spend on food.

Lately, the food bank has been stocking their shelves with more options for residents, as the gift cards they had been handing out just don't go as far they used to.

"If we give a single person a $30 gift card, they really can't get much at the grocery store, especially if they want to get a bit of meat or produce," said Pattullo.

The St. Vincent de Paul food bank in Midland has also noticed more of a need in the community as food prices continue to rise.

"Six months ago, I could find a tub of margarine on

sale for a buck. Now, the sale is $1.99," said volunteer JoAnn Borley. "The lunch meat we buy, I would always pay a dollar for. Now, it's $2.67. Meat and cheese prices are out of

this world."

Prices for dairy products and eggs rose 8.5 per cent in March compared to the same month last year, following a 6.9 per cent gain in February. The price of butter increased 16 per cent, cheese is up 10.4 per cent and fresh milk jumped 7.7 per cent.

Prices for pasta were up 17.8 per cent in March, while breakfast cereal jumped 12.3 per cent.

Whichever political party forms the next government, the issue of rising costs must be addressed, advocates say.

Courtney O'Neill, a community co-ordinator with the Simcoe County Food Council, said the provincial government needs to help offset the impact of inflation.

"We need the province to work with the federal government to create targeted basic income programs to support individuals who are more vulnerable," said O'Neill, who is also advocating for raises to both minimum wage and social assistance rates.

Currently, the Ontario

Disability Support Program provides up to $1,169 per month for basic needs and housing. For many, these funds barely cover rent, leaving little for food.

According to O'Neill, 60 per cent of residents in Simcoe County who rely on social assistance are household food insecure, as are 63 per cent of those who have employment income.

"There is just not enough money coming in to match the rising cost of food, housing and transportation," said O'Neill. "The province really needs to look at overarching polices (to provide help).

Canada's Food Prices Report predicts that a family of four will spend $966 more on groceries this year than in 2021.

STORY BEHIND THE STORY: With a provincial election on the horizon, Simcoe.com decided it was important to revisit the impact inflation is having on the community.