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More Canadians are eating out.
Really?
Canadian families will be spending more money eating out in restaurants in 2019 (Canada’s Food Price report 2018).
The average home is expected to spend almost 30 percent of its food budget on food service, the highest level in history.
On average 4 meals a week are eaten out, whether it be breakfast, lunch or dinner.
“Canadian consumers will eat out more frequently in 2019, and that will come at a cost. The average family is expected to spend $208 more when eating out compared to 2017, an increase of almost 8%. this means that almost 30% of consumers’ food budgets will be spent on Food service.
The Canadian food service industry is going through structural changes that is causing a major shift in the market and effecting prices and consumer behavior.”
Reading this, I can’t help but think “we are not average then”.
We eat out maybe once a month… maybe. We bake our bread and grow our veggies. Even here, the most expensive province in Canada, we feed four adults (well) on $200 a week.
Having survived years working alongside my Chef husband I really don’t know where these average Canadians live or how they make enough money to eat out 4 times a week. Here in BC the portion sizes have gotten so small because food prices have risen so high and the consumer simply won’t pay the going rate for what they want. The expectation gap is huge!
Fancy Restaurants.
We were treated to dinner the other evening by my Boss at the city’s finest establishment. The cheese plate was ordered at almost $30 (for an appetizer). What arrived was a beautiful plate heaped with salad and garnish galore but very (very) little in the way of actual cheese. My colleagues were polite (Canadian) but slightly shocked whereas Hubster and I just laughed. Have you seen the price of decent cheese nowadays?
Given our personal budget per annum, the above 30% of the food budget (split between 4) would equate to $3.75 per meal out each… are they including a subway sandwich at lunch as eating out? Where can I get a meal for four for $15? Are they including or excluding tip? Sign me up!
All I can say is these “average” Canadian families must have a whopper of a food budget.
For the rest of us, here’s a FREE downloadable printable to assist with weekly meal planning and shopping. It’s the only way we are able to come in under budget each week and still eat all the things we like. We don’t like soup or rice n beans so our purchases are realistic and reflect our preferences.
You may also like to read How to spend less on food when the prices keep rising and Ten things to stop buying and start making.
Food trends and Forecasts
It’s always good to be in the know or ahead of the curve so I wander the net reading articles like this: Why Food prices are rising, recent trends and the forecast for 2019 from The Balance.com.
As you may (or may not know), I’m an avid gardener, a wannabe doomsday prepper and a Mother of Two. I want to know that I have food security. (When there is a section on the CRA website you know it is an aspect to take seriously!)
I take my food security VERY seriously.
Given this exceptionally dry April (2019), I have a head start on my growing season. Planted out are the Potatoes, onions, garlic, carrots, beets, peas, beans and salad leaves. In the newly erected greenhouse are my tomatoes and peppers. Water has been stored in numerous water barrels around the property (plus I have a well!). The mason bees hatched just as the pear tree was blossoming so – look forward to some lovely juicy pears come Harvest; Add to those pears our Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, cherries, apples and plums and I can make pies, cobblers or compotes, enough for a year, freeze and eat later! Then there are the chickens … and the Honey Bees.
You may think I live on a Ranch, huge acreage or working farm reading that but, in actual fact, what I have is a modest 0.48 acres. Given this is Canada, having less than half an acre and still accomplishing all of this is not as difficult as it sounds. But, what if you live in an apartment?
Tiny Living.
I’ve had some amazing success with patio plants. Cherry tomatoes and patio zucchinis plus Salad grown in totes! Just because you lack acreage shouldn’t stop you utilizing everything that you can to eat well, stay secure and cut that food budget down when you can.
Here’s what I found for you:-
Lettuce: Lettuce grows up quickly, and you will have the opportunity to harvest this leafy green multiple times throughout the growing season. As lettuce is a cool season crop, you’ll have to decide what is the right time for its growth according to your climate. Usually, seeds are started in spring. But if you live in a warm climate, grow lettuce in winter.
Bell Peppers and Chilies – in pots.
Growing cucumbers on a trellis.
XO
Anna
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