The latest Food Price Report released by four Canadian Universities, says it’s not your imagination, food prices in Canada are going up – again.

There’s no turning back says Dalhousie’s Director of the Agri-Food Analytics Lab, Sylvain Charlebois, who indicates that Canadians’ relationship with food is changing and so will their food budgets.

The Food Price Report concludes that a family of four is predicted to pay up to $14,700 dollars for food next year, an increase of $966 dollars from the total annual cost in 2021.

That follows a dramatic increase in food prices last year.

The report forecasts a 5 to 7 per cent increase in the cost of bakery items, a 6 to 8 per cent increase in dairy, a 3 to 5 percent increase in fruits, 5 to 7 percent increase for vegetables, with a lower percentage increase in meats from 0 to 2 per cent.

The report outlines that there are some positives.

They include confirmation that Canadians are making healthy, sustainable choices based on environmental sustainability.

Furthermore, food literacy is improving, and Canadians are paying greater attention to food waste.

The report outlines a few tips to better manage your grocery bill in 2022.

They include budgeting and waiting for discounts, and being flexible when it comes to healthy food choices by considering frozen and canned foods.