Food prices in Northern Ontario First Nations Reserves are outrageously high. For a $50 grocery shop at a local Toronto Walmart, it is going to cost you $115 on a reserve in Ontario.
In June of 2015, a study was done to compare the monthly price of groceries for a family of four in Toronto and Attawapiskat. Attawapiskat is an isolated First Nations location in Northern Ontario. An average price for a month of groceries for a family of four in Toronto is $847, but in Attawapiskat, it is $1909.
The mark-up of food prices makes it hard for people on reserves to get the food they need for themselves and their families. Not only are food prices high, but incomes are very low, making it even harder to afford these food prices.
Having adequate food and freedom from hunger is a human right, and it is clearly being overlooked. This is not the way anyone should live, and it is happening right here in Ontario.
Below is a table comparing food prices on a First Nations Reserve in Ontario to a local Toronto Walmart.
Item | First Nations Reserves Price | Toronto Walmart Price |
4L of Milk | $10.99 | $4.69 |
Frozen Pizza | $12.49 | $5.87 |
Cheddar Cheese | $9.99 | $6.24 |
Case of Water Bottles | $36.49 | $2.97 |
Bag of Apples | $7.99 | $5.97 |
1kg Ground Beef | $19.98 | $9.85 |
Cat Food | $15.49 | $7.97 |
Information found at:
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Photo by Mehrad Vosoughi from Pexels
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