Some Loyalist students worry over high food prices as feds try to stabilize costs

Nimarpreet Kaur is a first-year Paralegal student who is struggling to buy food. Photo by: Arshia Kochar

By: Arshia Kochar

BELLEVILLE – Some Loyalist College students are struggling to pay for groceries due to high food costs, along with the other costs related to school.

Students buying groceries find it a challenge. It is difficult to keep up with rising prices. Statistics Canada reported food prices rose seven percent in August alone.

Amandeep Kaur, a first-year student in Global Business Management, said she is having a tough time.

“I am not sure how long I can keep up with these prices,” said Amandeep Kaur,  “I have to work; it’s not like I have an option, or else I will have no food in my house.”

Kaur is a full-time student balancing her studies with 30 hours of work a week.

Other students find it very stressful.

Lovepreet Singh is a second-year Global Business Management student. He finds it hard to maintain his diet due to inflated grocery prices. It is even harder because Singh is a fitness enthusiast.

“I have always had organic groceries. But at these prices, I don’t think I will be able to afford them anymore,” he said. “I am very particular about the ingredients but more particular about the prices now.”

Nimarpreet Kaur, a first-year Paralegal student, finds it mentally stressful. 

“As soon as I get my paycheque, my first priority is to get groceries. The thought of not being able to afford food kills me inside, and I don’t want to see this day, but I am afraid all the prices are going up,” she said.

The federal government is trying to take steps to lower food prices. On 25th of August , Ottawa met with the top 5 grocers: Loblaws, Metro, Empire, Walmart, and Costco. The meeting held between François-Philippe Champagne and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland was to discuss stabilizing the prices of groceries in Canada.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has given a time limit until Thanksgiving for the retailers to come up with a plan or major action will be taken.

Manpreet Kaur, another first-year Global Business Management, says these efforts could make a difference.

If they have given a deadline, I think something may happen in our favour. They just need to act fast.” he said 

Experts say people concerned about being able to buy food can cause a lot of worry.

Cindy Leung, assistant professor of nutritional sciences at the University of Michigan, said in a Forbes article that if a person does not know where their next meal is coming from, it gives them inherent stress.

Students who are anxious about having enough food to eat can get help on campus.

 Loyalist College offers  Loyalist Student Food Cupboard to support students in need. Students can pick up to seven items every week. It also provides recipes and healthy food options.

For Kaur, this makes a big difference.

” I am not going to lie. It helps. The wait time is a lot, but I would rather prefer waiting for a food bank rather than spending $50 even if I want to buy 4 snacks.” she said.