Report: More Canadians Prefer Locally Produced Food

A report released today, based on the opinions of 3,000 Toronto residents, indicates that Canadians are increasingly choosing local food products over imported ones amid Canada’s ongoing trade dispute with the US.

The poll revealed that food inflation is a significant financial concern for Canadians, as many report spending more on groceries each month. A fact borne out by a recent Statistics Canada release, which shows that the consumer price index rose by 3.4 per cent in October compared to the previous year, while the overall consumer price index increased by 2.2 per cent during the same period.

Not surprisingly, the survey results showed that 80.6% of respondents reported that their food expenses have increased over the past year, while over a quarter (25.5%) reported that affording food has become a struggle. Nearly half (48.6%) said they actively seek out sales and discounts to afford their groceries. Affordability emerged as the most critical factor influencing food purchasing decisions at 43.2%, followed by nutrition at 28.8% and taste at 15.3%.

While Canadians remain deeply concerned about food affordability, the report suggests that consumers are adapting their purchasing habits to navigate economic uncertainty more strategically than before.

In addition to grappling with high prices for necessities, the average Torontonian is also paying more attention to the origins of their food. The survey found that 55.8% of respondents “often” or “always” check where their food was produced. This awareness stems from the ongoing trade dispute between Canada and the US, which has encouraged many consumers to avoid American products in favour of supporting Canadian goods.

When it comes to trusted sources of groceries, major grocers ranked at the bottom of the list with an average score of 2.99 out of five. Independent grocers performed slightly better, with a score of 3.31, while Canadian farmers earned the highest level of trust, with a score of 3.63.