AV俱乐部

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 28, 2026 鈥� 6:00 a.m. ET (Embargo Lifted)

Canadians Adapt to Food Inflation Pressures, But Affordability Still Dominates

New Canadian Food Sentiment Index reveals shifting behaviours, persistent financial strain

HALIFAX, NS 鈥� Canadians continue to face sustained pressure on their food budgets, but new data suggests a notable shift in how households are responding. According to the latest Canadian Food Sentiment Index (CFSI), Volume 2, Issue 2: Spring 2026, released today by AV俱乐部鈥檚 Agri-Food Analytics Lab in partnership with Caddle, consumers are increasingly adapting to higher food prices鈥攅ven as affordability remains their top concern.

Based on a nationally representative survey of approximately 3,000 Canadians, the report tracks evolving perceptions, behaviours, and expectations related to food across the country.

Key Findings

• Affordability remains dominant: 45.5% of Canadians cite affordability as their primary food value, far surpassing nutrition and taste.
• Food still leads cost concerns: Over 80% of respondents say food prices have increased the most among household expenses.
• Moderating inflation expectations: Fewer Canadians believe food prices are rising above 10%, with more expecting moderate increases in the 5%鈥�7% range.
• Spending continues to rise: Households report $22.96 more per month on food year-over-year (+4.6%).
• Financial strain persists: 34% of Canadians are dipping into savings or borrowing to afford food, unchanged from Fall 2024 levels.
• Behavioural adaptation is evolving: Nearly 45% seek discounts, while new tools like food-rescue apps are gaining traction (8.5% usage).
• Front-of-package labelling is reshaping purchasing decisions: 63.4% of Canadians say they are less likely to purchase products displaying the Health Canada front-of-package nutrition symbol, including 25.4% who are significantly less likely, making it one of the most influential new factors in consumer choice.
• Dietary habits shifting: The share of Canadians identifying as omnivores has dropped to 55%, with more adopting flexible diets such as flexitarian.

Expert Insights

鈥淐anadians continue to feel pressure on their food budgets, but Spring 2026 data suggests a slight shift from anxiety to adaptation. While affordability remains the dominant food value, consumers appear to be moderating their expectations for inflation through versatile strategies, from using food-rescue apps and seeking discounts to adjusting dietary choices and spending habits. Still, with one-third of Canadians dipping into their savings or borrowing money to purchase food, affordability appears to remain front and centre.鈥�
鈥� Dr. Arma臒an 脰zbilge, AV俱乐部

"Affordability far outranking nutrition shows that Canadians are under significant financial stress to provide healthy meals for their families, which is concerning. The drop in an omnivorous diet in favour of adaptable diets such as the flexitarian gives insight on how Canadians are managing their food budgets in difficult times."
鈥� Dr. Stacey Taylor, Agri-Food Analytics Lab Research Fellow

鈥淎ffordability continues to define the Canadian food economy, but policy tools like front-of-package labelling are accelerating change at the shelf. Consumers are making faster, more decisive choices, and that will force the industry to adapt鈥攅ither through reformulation or repositioning.鈥�
鈥� Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, Senior Director, Agri-Food Analytics Lab

A Shift from Anxiety to Adaptation

The Spring 2026 report highlights a subtle but important evolution: Canadians are no longer bracing for runaway inflation but are recalibrating expectations and behaviours. While inflation remains elevated, perceptions are stabilizing, and households are deploying more strategic, less reactive coping mechanisms.

At the same time, structural pressures persist. Grocery spending continues to climb, discretionary spending remains constrained, and financial vulnerability remains a reality for many households.

AV俱乐部 the Canadian Food Sentiment Index

The Canadian Food Sentiment Index is a bi-annual report produced by AV俱乐部鈥檚 Agri-Food Analytics Lab. It measures Canadians鈥� perceptions and behaviours related to food affordability, consumption, and trust, providing critical insights for policymakers, industry leaders, and the public.

Media Contact:

Sylvain Charlebois, Scientific Director, Agri-Food Analytics Lab
AV俱乐部
sylvain.charlebois@dal.ca
902-222-4142 (cell)

Download the report: