Rising Food Costs Put More Pressure on Families in 2026
So, there’s been a lot of talk this week about food prices, and a new set of reports has really put things into perspective. As we look toward 2026, Canadians — especially families — are being warned to brace for another jump in grocery bills. And while this isn’t the kind of news anyone wants during the holiday season, it’s becoming an unavoidable reality for many households.
According to the latest Food Price Report, the average family of four is expected to spend nearly $1,000 more on groceries next year compared to 2025. That brings the projected total to just over $17,571 for the year. What makes this even more striking is that the increase is coming at a time when overall inflation is predicted to slow to around two per cent. Despite that, food prices are still being pushed upward by a mix of factors — everything from weather disruptions to labour shortages to changes in global supply chains.
Also Read:Across Manitoba, advocates have already been sounding the alarm. Local charities say they’re seeing more families pushed to the brink. The Christmas Cheer Board, for example, expects to hit a new record with up to 22,000 hamper applications this season. Their executive director, Shawna Bell, explained that people are being forced into impossible decisions just to keep food on the table. Some who once donated to the organization are now turning to it for help.
The report also highlights that food insecurity remains a massive issue nationwide. One-quarter of Canadian households are now considered food insecure, and food prices have risen 27 per cent over the past five years. Breakdowns by category offer no relief: meat is expected to climb another five to seven per cent, vegetables three to five per cent, and dairy, eggs, and baked goods two to four per cent. Even restaurants are projected to raise prices by up to six per cent.
Food banks across Manitoba are reporting unprecedented demand. Harvest Manitoba revealed that roughly 60,000 people a month rely on food banks — a staggering 150 per cent jump in just five years. Many of those seeking help are employed or educated, showing just how widespread the strain has become.
The broader conversation around this issue is also turning political. Debates in the Manitoba legislature have intensified, with conversations about affordability, poverty reduction, and whether new policies — like a federal grocery code of conduct — will genuinely help bring prices down. Advocacy groups are urging governments to tackle root causes: income support, housing, child-care access, and competition within the grocery sector.
For now, though, families are bracing themselves. Even as inflation cools, the cost of simply feeding a household continues to rise — and for many Canadians, that reality is becoming harder to absorb each year.
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