Massive food inflation strikes Canada... consumers paying $8 for a head of cauliflower, $3 for a single cucumber.

Monday, January 25, 2016 by: Daniel Barker
Tags: food inflation, consumer goods prices, Food Rising

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(NaturalNews) Due to a "perfect storm" of inflationary factors – not the least of which being the continuing drop in oil prices – Canadians are seeing the effects of a weakening currency reflected in food prices at the supermarket.

$3 cucumbers, $8 for a head of cauliflower, grapes at $10 per bag – the spiraling cost of foods, particularly those imported from Canada's neighbor to the south, has consumers there reeling from sticker shock.

Social media platforms have been inundated lately with complaints about the rising food costs, and the offset in low prices at the gas pump has not been enough to make up the difference for Canadians who are now paying more for almost all imported goods.

It's one thing having to forego buying a new iPhone or other luxury items, but not being able to afford the foods one is accustomed to is particularly frustrating for the average consumer.

So what's behind the collapse of the Canadian dollar?

From The New York Times:

As prices for commodities have dropped, the value of the Canadian dollar has fallen, a direct link to an economy that is dependent on oil and other resources. It makes imports, like fresh American vegetables during the dark Canadian winter, look especially costly. Two years ago, one Canadian dollar was worth 93 American cents. On Wednesday, it stood at 69 American cents.

Canada imports 80 percent of its produce – much of it comes from California where the prolonged drought has caused prices to rise in terms of American dollars. This, combined with other factors, has caused prices for fresh fruits and vegetables to skyrocket – many items now cost more than three times what they did as recently as one year ago:

Iceberg lettuce sells for 3 Canadian dollars, up from the typical 90 Canadian cents. One head of broccoli goes for $4, compared with $1.50 for two in the past. Last winter, a head of cauliflower was selling for 2.50 Canadian.

U.S. food prices expected to rise

At the moment, food prices in the United States are maintaining an average growth rate, but the future is not so bright. In fact, many are predicting a steady rise in food costs in the coming years.

From CheatSheet.com:

There is plenty of concern over the future of food prices in America right now, and for good reason. Even big business is growing wary. Most of the western United States is experiencing a drought of epic proportions, which is most certainly going to have an effect on food prices nationwide. Droughts, along with the changes they force on supply lines, increased transportation costs, and destruction of livestock and farmland, all play a pivotal part in determining food prices.

Grow your own!

The only way to protect yourself from rising food costs is to produce as much of it on your own as you possibly can. Self-reliance is more crucial than ever in the face of global insecurity – both in terms of currency fluctuations and extreme weather patterns that individuals have very little control over.

If you're not already growing your own fresh produce, it's time to get started.

One of the best ways to do so is with the Food Rising Mini-Farm Grow Box system developed by Natural News founder Mike Adams, the Health Ranger.

The Food Rising system is an inexpensive and revolutionary method that can be utilized for growing fresh organic produce without the need for electricity or a large garden space.

The Mini-Farm Grow Box System is a self-watering, non-circulating hydroponic system that makes growing your own organic fruits and vegetables a simple and easy task. The system requires very little tending, and all the open-source plans are available for free on the FoodRising.org website.

Stop worrying about the rising cost of food – start your own organic garden today!

Sources:

NYTimes.com

Bloomberg.com

CheatSheet.com

FoodRising.org

GLITCH.news

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