It’s a conversation that bears repeating for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians: the price of food is going up— again.

Statistics Canada reported Tuesday that the average grocery bill increased by four per cent in September compared to the same time last year. Data also shows grocery prices have been trending upward since April 2024.

The overall inflation rate rose to 2.4 per cent in September. A limited supply of beef and coffee in the country have contributed to the higher rate.

Beef top sirloin cuts saw the largest price increase in N.L. over the last year, at 19.21 per cent, according to Statistics Canada. 

Shoppers in St. John’s say they’re feeling the pressure of increased costs.

‘It’s been really crazy’

CBC News spoke to people after their shopping trips at a Walmart parking lot Wednesday afternoon. 

Avalon Sasinek-Roil, originally from Halifax, says she used to pay $90 for her groceries. Now, it’s closer to $170. 

“It’s been really crazy,” said Sasinek-Roil. “I’m on … social income and I’m spending basically my whole cheque on food.”

WATCH | Inflation is up, and shoppers are feeling it:

Canada’s grocery prices are rising, and N.L. residents are feeling it in their wallets

New Statistics Canada numbers show some Canadians are paying four per cent more for their groceries than they were a year ago. The CBC’s Abby Cole reports.

Pat Hickey of Placentia told CBC it seems like grocery prices go up from one week to the next.

“That makes it hard to survive,” he said. 

Hickey says there’s only one grocery store in his town, a Foodland. It’s “as expensive as anything” to shop there, so he drove to St. John’s to stock up on Wednesday.

Students are feeling a strain, too.

Hasan Imam has been living in St. John’s for two years while he studies at Memorial University. 

“When I came here, I used to spend $400, $500 per month [on] groceries. But nowadays, for the same amount of food, I have to spend $700… it’s pretty tough to manage within my salary,” said Imam. 

The federal government will release its 2025 budget in November.  Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne is promising “good news” when it arrives. Meanwhile, the federal Conservatives are calling for an “affordable living agenda.” 

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