Prince Albert food assistance clients feeling impact of rising grocery costs
Local food assistance groups say clients are feeling the impacts of rising food prices.
Prince Abert Food Bank executive director Kim Scruby says many clients are asking for more in their hampers, saying the high costs of food have them buying less.
“Over the past year or so, I think we’ve seen a pretty significant inflation in food,” said Scruby.
He says the food bank has had to adjust its purchases accordingly to stay within budget.
Donations of vegetables and fruits from local gardeners are helping the food bank to keep up with demand.
Some clients grew food in the city’s community garden, run by the food bank, and that helped decrease some of the need.
“Some of the most significant inflation we’ve seen in food is in fresh produce and meat so this is something that we couldn’t afford to buy and if not for the community coming in and donating it,” said Scruby.
The need for food typically increases during holidays – and Scruby said this Thanksgiving is no exception.
The food bank is unable to give out turkeys.
However, donations from the public and grocery stores have helped put some Thanksgiving “trimmings” in food hampers.
Because of the pandemic the food bank has postponed their food drive and fundraisers.
The founder of Jessy’s Garden, Bonny Sanderson, says many people who use the garden this year have shared their concerns about food prices.
“People are angry with the prices,” said Sanderson.
She says since the start of the pandemic, she’s had many new families come to the garden. Over the last year, the number of patrons at the garden has also increased, and so has the distances people are willing to travel.
“People were coming from Saskatoon, we’ve had people from Melfort this year, Nipawin, Carrot River, you name it,” said Sanderson.
Bonny Sanderson runs Jessy’s Garden, which provides food in exchange for labour and donates garden vegetables to schools, non-profit organizations and people in need. (Lisa Risom/CTV News)
To help keep up with demand, Sanderson plans to expand the amount of garden planted.
If someone for whatever reason is unable to pay and is in need, Sanderson provides them with vegetables.
“If you can’t afford it, we will take care of you. That’s what Jessy’s garden is all about, is helping the community. Food security right now, it’s been crazy for years but it’s getting worse,” said Sanderson.
Jessy’s Garden was started in memory of Sanderson’s daughter.
The garden provides food in exchange for labour and donates garden vegetables to schools, non-profit organizations and people in need.
The garden also accepts donations for vegetables and sells all produce for one dollar a pound.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
On federal budget, Macklem says 'fiscal track has not changed significantly'
Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says Canada's fiscal position has 'not changed significantly' following the release of the federal government's budget.