A survey of 3,000 Canadians has revealed a preference for Canadian foods and local independent grocers.
The Spring 2025 edition of the Canadian Food Sentiment Index, released this week by Dalhousie University’s Agri-Food Analytics Lab, found that more than 28 per cent of respondents now expect double-digit food inflation in the near future, a jump of nearly 10 points from the previous fall.
"Canadians are clearly worried about inflation," said Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, director of the Agri-Food Analytics Lab. "But they’re also adapting, making smarter choices, turning to trusted sources, and supporting local producers more than ever before."
Charlebois told CKNXNewsToday.ca that one of the most surprising takeaways from the report was a sharp increase in trust toward the food supply chain, especially for smaller, community-based retailers.
"The biggest winners are independent grocers," he said. "That has a lot to do with the local-first movement we’re seeing right now across the country. People are trying to support independent, locally-owned, Canadian-owned businesses as much as possible."
