Bargain hunting is quickly becoming a new national sport as more people look to save money in the face of a recession. But some Canadians may want to check their frugal ways at the grocery-store door - or they could end up paying for it with their health.
A new report released yesterday by the Heart and Stroke Foundation reveals that the price of many healthy foods, including fruits and vegetables, milk, lean ground beef and brown rice, varies widely in different communities.
Although it's widely known that food prices tend to be higher in remote regions and parts of Northern Canada, where food has to be shipped long distances, the report contained some examples of high prices in urban areas and central parts of Canada.
For instance, a bag of six apples cost $5.02 in Calgary compared with $1 in Toronto, according to the report. Four litres of 1 per cent milk cost $11.89 in Rankin Inlet compared with $3.49 in Vancouver, while one kilogram of peanut butter rang in at $7.58 in St. Catharines, Ont., and $3.29 in Regina.
The findings are part of the foundation's annual report card on the health of Canadians.
The association warns that these differences are making it difficult for Canadians in some parts of the country to afford healthy basics, putting them at greater risk for obesity, heart disease and other health problems.
A poll conducted for the foundation found that more than 40 per cent of Canadians have gone, on occasion, without various foods because of cost.
More than 80 per cent of those surveyed said they want the government to regulate the price of nutritious food.
Beth Abramson, a cardiologist and spokeswoman for the foundation, worries that access to affordable healthy food could become more limited as Canada slips deeper into the economic downturn.
"I would look at this as a wake-up call for all of us," Dr. Abramson said yesterday . "This can only potentially get worse. We need to think about what we're putting into our grocery carts."
A major source of concern is the fact that while grocery-store staples such as potatoes or apples are expensive in some regions, the cost of chips, pop and other processed foods is fairly low, and stable, across the country. It's a reality that is stoking fears that more people will be forced to dine on less-healthy options.
"I find it absolutely astounding. It makes absolutely no sense," said Bruce Cran, president of the Consumers' Association of Canada. "I think any price rises and differentials throughout Canada on food pricing in particular will have an affect on our diets."
Mr. Cran said the price discrepancies may indicate that retailers are taking advantage of customers by charging prices for some staple food items that are simply too high.
But the association representing the bulk of Canada's grocery stores says retailers place a high priority on health and ensure a variety of nutritious foods are available throughout the year.
"In the middle of February, you can still get a wide range of choices in these products," said Dave Wilkes, senior vice-president for the Canadian Council of Grocery Distributors.
Mr. Wilkes said the organization has serious concerns about the methodology used by the Heart and Stroke Foundation to compile the national pricing report.
The foundation recruited volunteers from 66 communities across Canada and told them to shop at national or regional grocery chains - not discount stores - for food items from the national nutritious food basket, a list federal officials created in the past to measure the accessibility and cost of healthy foods.
One of the problems Mr. Wilkes cited is that shoppers avoided discount grocery stores, which offer a wide variety of lower-priced healthy food options. It's also unclear whether shoppers purchased any private-label or no-name brands, which are often cheaper than brand-name products. He also said the number of stores sampled - 66 - seems too small to draw conclusions on a national scale.
"We do have concerns about their criteria," Mr. Wilkes said. "There's a danger that Canadians could get the wrong message, for sure."
Canada gets failing marks on affordable food report card
New research from the Heart and Stroke Foundation highlights price discrepancies across the country.
Whole wheat pasta (900g)
Cheese (520 g)
Lean ground beef (1 kg)
*A sampling of cities. In cases where several cities had the same price, only one has been included.
TONIA COWAN/THE GLOBE AND MAIL ;SOURCE: HEART AND STROKE FOUNDATION
