The cost of that Nutritious Food Basket continues to climb, topping $300 per week on average for Newfoundland and Labrador.

The latest provincial food survey for 2022 shows a 12 per cent increase, on average, from the year before. A basket to feed a family of four now costs $309 per week—a lot more in other areas. That number is based roughly on Canada’s Food Guide.

Josh Smee, the executive director of Food First NL, says the 12 per cent increase won’t come as any surprise.

On the north coast of Labrador, he says you’re looking at $467 a week—an 18 per cent increase from 2021.

Food went up by 18 per cent on the Northern Peninsula and even in the St. John’s area food rose by 12 per cent to $290 for that weekly basket.