High beef prices force social agencies to find protein alternatives

Agencies that help feed low-income people are scrambling to find protein alternatives as beef prices have hit a record high in Alberta.

Cindy Drummond, with the Calgary Food Bank, said with beef prices 40 per cent higher than last year it's beginning to feel the effects. "We're seeing the impact of it now for sure," said Drummond.

• Alberta beef prices hit record high amid dry conditions
• Beef costs have been steadily climbing in past 3 years

The hampers that the organization gives out every day meet Canada Food Guide requirements, which always include a protein. Sometimes it's fresh meat, but with the high cost of beef, it's becoming unaffordable to offer that option.

"We may need to look at alternate sources of protein, such as canned tuna, beans or even peanut butter," said Drummond. But there has been one positive effect. At least one retailer donated a large amount of ground beef because they couldn't sell it, helping to fill dozens of hampers.

"It was thousands of dollars of high-quality ground beef," said Drummond.

Expensive beef isn't on the menu at Wood's Homes, a non-profit house for troubled youth. It houses about 150 teens at various locations across the city.

"Clients are coming in and rising food costs are adding to the financial strain, so it's people who are worried about not being able to put meat on the table,literally, and moms and dads who are sacrificing their food, some of their meat portions for their children's sake. It's sad," McIver added.

"Fortunately, we have a lot of people who work at the agency who are good cooks and who know how to make creative meals," said Sylvia MacIver, a spokesperson for the agency.