The increase in thefts from grocery stores and the increase in requests for food aid demonstrate the direct impact on the population of the increase in the cost of living. In 2022, nearly 1.5 million visits were recorded at Canadian food banks, making it the highest level of use in history for the month of March and the North Shore is no exception.
Grocery store employees in Sept-Îles confirm that food theft in grocery stores has increased significantly since the recent rise in the cost of living. People in more precarious situations struggle to feed themselves and some go so far as to steal.
“In addition, with self-service checkouts, you have to double the surveillance, since people take advantage of it to steal. The lack of personnel also complicates the monitoring of the aisles. But we get robbed, it’s crazy! said a grocery store employee.
Unreported losses from theft could reach $3,000 to $4,000 a week at some Canadian grocery stores, according to the 2022 Annual Food Price Report.
The report, by four universities including Dalhousie, predicted increased food insecurity and theft from retail grocery stores, and addressed the challenges aid agencies would face operating with funding and stagnant budgets.
It was predictable
Sylvain Charlebois, Senior Director, Dalhousie University’s Agrifood Analytical Sciences Laboratory, thinks that’s to be expected. Being on the board of directors of one of the largest food banks in Canada, he also makes this sad observation.
“There are no more federal programs to provide extra income for people who need it and on the other hand prices have increased,” explained the expert.
According to his calculations, for a family with a mortgage of approximately $300,000, we are talking about additional payments of $5,000 to $6,000 a year adding to people’s financial burden.
Solutions
First of all, Mr. Charlebois thinks that we should stop seeing governments giving money for nothing.
“It doesn’t help. The more a government spends, the more inflation can become a problem,” he says.
“You have to look at long-term solutions rather than sending money temporarily and hoping that people survive,” he adds.
The situation could still go on for quite a while.
“It will not end tomorrow, we are not out of the woods. It’s going to be another pretty tough year. That is why we should plan for the long term. »
“The most effective solutions are those that do not politicize food inflation, as we saw with the federal budget recently and with Mr. Legault before the election holidays,” he adds.
A guaranteed income program would also be important.
He thinks it’s time to set up a food stamp system, like in the United States. These stamps allow the purchase of healthy foods in certain grocery stores.
“In the case of Quebec or Canada, I would see that for local products in certain grocery stores,” he says.
Goal zero empty belly
On April 3, the Parti Québécois asked the government to guarantee meals in elementary school for all children in Quebec, regardless of their social status.
Several US states have just passed a law guaranteeing free breakfast and lunch to all students, regardless of their parents’ income.
“There are great examples there to inspire us in Quebec,” says Paul St-Pierre Plamondon.
“What is also clear is that the costs of this measure will be largely offset by the collective gains in academic success,” adds the PQ leader.
Whoever made this election promise in 2018 believes that time proves them right on this proposal, since the number of children with empty stomachs is still significant and numbers in the thousands. Mr. Plamondon says that Canada is the only G7 country to have no food policy for young people in school.
Requests for food aid on the rise
People are increasingly turning to help resources such as food counters, community fridges and meals on wheels.
Just before Christmas, Guylaine Caron, director of the Sept-Îles food counter, observed a 30% increase in requests for baskets for the holiday season. Since then, about a dozen new families have applied every month.
On the side of the Escale counter in Baie-Comeau, Josée Gagnon had reported a 60% increase in requests for assistance. Today, the upward trend continues. In January, the organization received five new registrations, 26 in February and 18 in March.
“I would say that over the last two weeks we’ve had a little peak »she says.
Valérie Santerre, director of Transit Sept-Îles, reports a very significant increase in the use of the community fridge.
She notices a lot of comings and goings of people who come to carry things, or who come to pick them up.
” It’s crazy ! There is never anything in the fridge,” she observes.
In numbers
Undeclared losses due to theft could reach 3 000$ To 4 000$ per week at select Canadian grocery stores. In 2022, almost 1,5 millions visits were recorded at Canadian food banks.
*Source: Annual Food Price Report 2022
