The food buying habits of Canadians have changed significantly thanks to the steady increase in grocery prices.

Food inflation is expected to rise by another 4 to 6 per cent in 2026.

Assistant professor of business analytics at Cape Breton University, Dr. Stacey Taylor, who contributed to Dalhousie University’s annual Food Price Report says they’ve been tracking buying habits and consumers are making a number of choices as they adjust to increased price pressure.

“That ranges” says Taylor “from choosing a different brand, to choosing a substitute product. For example, if meat is too expensive as it generally is for all of us, looking to a more vegetable( based) diet. That’s a way that people are substituting similar products. But then, we’re also seeing that people are having to make really tough choices  and decide whether or not they’re even going to buy something. And it’s a terrible place to be.”