February 9 is Food Freedom Day

Day marks when Canadian families have earned enough to pay for a year’s worth of groceries

By Diego Flammini
Assistant Editor, North American Content
Farms.com

According to the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA), Feb. 9, 2016 is known as Food Freedom Day (FFD) - the day when the average Canadian has earned enough income to pay for a year’s worth of groceries.

Last year, Food Freedom Day fell on Feb. 6 and the rise in food costs is seen as a factor why FFD is three days later.

According to the Food Price Report 2016, published by the Food Institute at the University of Guelph, food prices in Canada rose by about 4.1 per cent during 2015. The low Canadian dollar is a main factor for the increase in food prices.

In 2015, Canadians spent approximately 11 per cent of disposable income on food, up from 10.4 per cent in 2014.

The Food Price Report expects food prices to rise between 2 and 4 per cent in 2016, with the highest price increases being placed on meats. Reasons for the increase include climate change, a weak Canadian dollar and consumer trends.

“Our forecast predicts the average household could spend up to $345 more on food in 2016,” the report reads.

Ron Bennett, CFA President, said buying locally grown products aren’t subject to exchange rate increases that imported products are; if consumers know what’s in season,  they can help increase Canada’s food security while keeping their grocery bill down.