Just two years ago I could buy a big bag of lemons in the summer for $3. At the very least (or should I say most) I could get 2 lemons for 99 cents in the winter. Now it costs $1.59 for two lemons! And it’s SUMMER!
My sister Shannon wearing my walking hat with her hip outfit
While she was visiting, Shannon accompanied me to the grocery store and confirmed that at least in comparison to Toronto our prices are for the most part higher. This makes buying produce in particular very frustrating and eating healthy a huge financial commitment and that is not even organic produce I am talking about.
Eating healthy is very important to me and eating fresh is absolutely essential. Fresh food is what keeps us healthy, fights cancer, gives us REAL energy. I thought the prices would come down in the summer but they just seem to go higher even though gas prices are going down and the Canadian dollar is going up.
It seems all my money goes to my grocery bills. I have taken books out of the library on how to save money with food and I am sorry but I don’t want to make meals with cans of soup. So I will pay. They will get my money. And I will hopefully keep my health.
Suzie, I have to kidnap you and take you to browse COSTCO for some great deals on produce. We don’t get all our fruits and veggies there, but those we do buy, we really save on.
shame its so expensive for you but I agree i spend way too much on groceries as well, but your healthy and happy, enjoy your time with your sister
Rebecca
This frustrates me to no end!! I feel the best when I eat primarily vegetarian..with a bit of chicken and eggs thrown in. I just can’t do it these days..not and feed my family too. When I see the summer prices for produce…much less organic produce..I wanna just cry!!! I keep trying though!! Sarah
I see that too. Since I enjoy fresh food FAR more, I will keep paying the higher price. Plus, I love to create dishes with the ‘fresh stuff’. It fun & better for you too!
That prosperity cake looks amazing. I would love to try to bake it.
SO happy I found this foodie blog. Like a little utopia! 🙂
I don’t know from Nova Scotia (though I have a friend who teaches at MSVU), but in MN the way to get around this is to shop farmers markets and ethnic food markets. Always a lower price on produce, including produce shipped in from elsewhere.
Quality products always cost more. The less chemicals that are used (organic) the more expensive it is to grow the product and thus, as the consumers, we pay for it. But in the long run, our relatively small investment in our food makes a dramatic impact on our bodies long-term. Think of the $1.59 lemons as an investment in yourself. You are worth it!
Hey Suzie! I haven’t been by in a while – too much going on on the packing front! (4 more days til we head out!)
I have noticed my grocery bills growing as well. I have decided though, not to skimp on good foods. I’m hoping once we get to Oregon, that there will be local farms/farmer’s markets to buy produce from! I’d even buy a farm share to get fresh veggies each week if I can find one!
oh high prices are driving me mad over here. swampy is great for remembering prices and noticing any weekly rise in prices. i am like you, i love to eat fresh food and cook meals from scratch so i always make sure i get most of what i need from the farm shop~not organic but fresh and cheaper than the supermarket where we have to get other bits and pieces. its all very well people saying they only buy organic and local~generally these are people with money because here at least buying local organic is actually expensive.
It’s not just healthy eating though. A couple of years ago my wife and I were back for our annual trip and we wanted to make Indian food for my parents. What a frustrating experience! I spent 3 or 4 hours driving and calling all over Pictou County but could not find Garam Masala – a very basic ingredient! I could not even find the ingredients to make my own.
Just last week we were back again and I was making pizza for the extended family. Went to the Co-op and the selection of pizza meat was sickly. Went to Sobeys and they had the exact same products – just terrible looking and full of crap.