Latest news with #StaceyTaylor
Vancouver Sun
06-05-2025
- Business
- Vancouver Sun
Canadians are bracing for more food inflation amid U.S. trade war: new report
Food prices remain top of mind for many, according to the second issue of the bi-annual Canadian Food Sentiment Index by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab (AAL). Nearly 85 per cent of respondents reported that food prices have increased over the last 12 months. There was also a 'dramatic' shift of perception in where food inflation might be headed over the next year. In the face of trade-war uncertainty, more than one in four Canadians are bracing for double-digit inflation. Respondents expecting 'more than 10 per cent' inflation jumped from 18.6 per cent in fall 2024 to 28.5 per cent in spring 2025. Discover the best of B.C.'s recipes, restaurants and wine. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of West Coast Table will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. 'It's not surprising that food is still a very big concern, and I think that's important in itself because we have been focused on affordability of food for quite some time,' says Stacey Taylor, an assistant professor of business analytics at Cape Breton University and one of the report's authors. Based on responses from roughly 3,000 respondents across the country every six months, the Canadian Food Sentiment Index was inspired by Purdue University's Consumer Food Insights report on Americans. The index measures Canadians' perceptions and attitudes on issues ranging from food affordability to consumer trust. According to the Canadian Food Sentiment Index, people are most concerned about the rising cost of food, leading all categories, including housing, utilities and transportation. 'Six months ago, most people believed we were seeing the light at the end of the tunnel: 'It's almost over. Everything is going to return to normal.' But then, we surveyed people again in March and saw that, so, no. It's not going anywhere,' says Armağan Özbilge, another of the report's authors and an assistant professor in Dalhousie University's Faculty of Management . As long as the trade war continues, Özbilge expects worries to persist. And though we won't necessarily see a 10 per cent increase, some foods, such as fruit, will be 'significantly more expensive.' The pessimistic outlook shared by some Canadians is a valid one. Though food inflation stabilized in 2024, Sylvain Charlebois, senior director of the AAL and author of the report, predicts an increase. 'We're expecting things to get a little dicey for consumers this year compared to last year, but we're not going to go back to the 10 or 11 per cent that we saw a few years ago because of the illegal invasion of Ukraine.' In contrast to claims of greedflation and price gouging during 2023's affordability crisis, the Canadian Food Sentiment Index suggests that consumers' wariness of grocers may be in the rearview mirror. Trust in all food institutions increased from fall 2024 to spring 2025. Independent grocers experienced the largest gain, but confidence increased across the board, from major grocers and food manufacturers to farmers' market merchants and government agencies. They're not huge increases, highlights Taylor, but represent a positive shift. '(Trust) is going to be really important, especially now with what's going on with the trade wars and the continued inflation.' Faith in independent grocers, in particular, indicates that people are starting to think about where they're buying their food — not just what they're purchasing, says Charlebois. 'Independents have struggled the last little while. People are paying more attention to the smaller shops — the independently owned and the Canadian-owned shops — that are out there offering unique and innovative products.' Charlebois adds that getting in front of consumers can be challenging for food entrepreneurs. 'It's always tough to deal with larger grocers. If you have independents willing to give it a shot, that's good news for innovation. That's good news for variety and consumers.' According to the report, 10 per cent of respondents buy local foods more often than they did six months ago, which the authors attributed in part to the availability of spring produce as well as the 'Buy Canadian' movement. Nearly half (43.5 per cent) choose local foods always or often. 'People are seeking more Canadian food. More people are checking the origin of the items they're purchasing,' says Özbilge. Taylor adds: 'Never in my life have I seen such patriotism in Canada, and it's really coming through in all that we're doing. And so it's great to see, certainly, when people go to the grocery store and see that ' made in Canada ,' or '100 per cent Canadian-made' or whatever it may be. It focuses their attention on where their food is coming from, and I don't think that's ever a bad idea.' Affordability (42 per cent) remains the leading factor driving food purchases, followed by nutrition (25 per cent) and taste (18 per cent). Respondents are checking best-before dates more often, and on the sustainability front, recycling food packaging increased, and reducing food waste at home improved. 'Sustainability is getting back to people's minds as they're trying to shake off this monetary pressure,' says Özbilge. He notes that many people misunderstand best-before dates. They're an indicator of food quality — not food safety. 'When I see those trends, they're minimal, but I think they might be meaningful towards reducing waste.' The report suggests that spending on food service is increasing year-over-year (+3.8 per cent) while retail is decreasing (-0.58 per cent). Canada is a world leader in remote work , Charlebois underscores. Full-time employees spend nearly two days a week at home, according to the Global Survey of Working Arrangements . He sees the uptick in service as a sign that even when working remotely, there's a desire to go to coffee shops or restaurants to socialize, which could create opportunities for establishments in the suburbs versus downtown cores. Compared to fall 2024, more people are buying in bulk and opting for generic or store brands over brand-name products. The Canadian Food Sentiment Index also shows an increase in purchasing grass-fed beef and cage-free eggs. The popularity of the omnivorous diet (no specific restrictions) dropped, while others, including flexitarian (primarily plant-based with occasional consumption of animal products), paleo, vegan and keto, increased. Despite its emphasis on affordability and expectations of double-digit inflation, the Canadian Food Sentiment Index suggests many are taking a holistic view — not just focusing on pocketbook issues. 'I think this report indicates the end of the food inflation storm we've been in for the last few years,' says Charlebois. 'People are starting to think about what they're eating again instead of just trying to survive.' Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our cookbook and recipe newsletter, Cook This, here .
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Stacey Taylor of Cordova High is this week's Tennessee Lottery Educator of the Week!
Stacey Taylor of Cordova High is this week's Tennessee Lottery Educator of the Week! Ms. Taylor loves teaching students with different skill sets learn new techniques. Congratulations, Stacey Taylor! If you'd like to nominate a Tennessee Lottery Educator of the Week, you can do so by following this link. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- General
- Yahoo
U.S. Dept. of Veterans' Affairs launches new initiative making headstones free for all veterans
(WHTM) — The U.S. Department of Veterans' Affairs launched a nationwide initiative making headstones available for free for all veterans, if eligible. Leaders across Pennsylvania are currently working to identify graves for members of the six triple 8th Central Postal Directory Battalion. During World War II, African American women, who served in that battalion, were denied military-funded burials. Many are in unmarked graves or have a privately purchased stone. Some are buried in Pennsylvania. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now 'It's been identified that we have one of these women right here in Redding, so I'm excited about this project from the beginning, but I mean more excited about the fact that we have one of these veterans right here in our community,' said Stacey Taylor, the President of the NAACP Pennsylvania State Conference. Ursula Virginia Davis was also part of that battalion. She is buried in Delaware County, unmarked. Taylor said they believe there are others out there. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
