Rising grocery prices are expected to further strain household budgets in Quebec in 2026, as food insecurity continues to climb across the province.
A recent poll suggests 36 per cent of Quebecers are now experiencing food insecurity, up from 22 per cent five years ago.
Experts warn the situation could worsen in 2026, with grocery prices projected to rise by another six per cent, adding close to $1,000 annually to the food bill of a family of four.
Shoppers in Montreal say the impact is already being felt.
“The staple foods like butter, milk, all these have increased a lot, by at least 50 per cent,” said Henry.
Others say they are being forced to change how and when they buy food.
“I watch every pamphlet, the specials pamphlet,” said Paul Prat. “I look for what’s on special now, because I know next week it will be higher.”
Lily Cusick said she has adjusted her diet to cope with rising costs.
“I’ve definitely tried to buy more plant-based items because that is cheaper,” she said.
Ligita Zyinikeivecude said the situation has gotten worse over the years. “We have to watch what we buy. I cannot spend money like before, a couple of years ago.”
Some shoppers say they are cutting back on specific items altogether.
“It’s outrageous, the price of cheese, whether it’s Canadian or imported,” said Henry. “So I’ve decreased that.”
Supermarché PA du Fort on Dec. 5, 2025 (Lola Kalder, CityNews)
Sylvain Charlebois, professor and director of the Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University, says a combination of global and economic pressures has driven food prices steadily higher over the past five years.
He points to the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, ongoing trade disputes and rising tariffs as major contributing factors.
“When you tariff food, when margins are extremely low, whether it’s 10 per cent or even five per cent, you’re compromising the affordability of food for a nation very, very quickly,” Charlebois said.
As food costs rise, demand for food banks is surging. Organizations across Quebec report serving more than three times as many people as they did five years ago.
Stephanie Taillon, executive director of Share the Warmth, says her organization now serves about 3,241 individuals each month, representing roughly 800 to 900 households.
Share the Warmth food bank in Montreal on Dec. 4, 2025 (Lola Kalder, CityNews)
“It’s not just the number of people that’s changing, but who is asking for help,” Taillon said.
She says food banks are seeing more working families, larger households, newcomers and children than ever before.
“The profile of the people using food banks is definitely different than it used to be,” she said.
Share the Warmth food bank in Montreal on Dec. 4, 2025 (Lola Kalder, CityNews)
Rising food costs are also affecting restaurants. Charlebois says menu prices are expected to increase between four and six per cent as operators adapt to higher supply costs and shifting consumer habits, including how people source protein.
He notes that some businesses are adjusting offerings, such as adding protein to beverages, to meet demand from customers looking for affordable options.
As prices continue to climb, Charlebois says shoppers are increasingly turning to cheaper, shelf-stable foods found in the centre aisles of grocery stores, such as pasta, cereals, sauces and canned goods, to stretch their budgets.
But he warns those prices, too, are likely to rise, leaving many Quebecers with fewer options as food insecurity deepens.
Supermarché PA du Fort on Dec. 5, 2025 (Lola Kalder, CityNews)
