Rising food prices force Ottawa family to make tough choices

Pork is still "relatively affordable." Kale seems to be getting more and more expensive.

But celery, lettuceand beef? Allout of the question.

Those are some of the tough decisions Gail Chaissonhas had to make lately buying groceries for her family.

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"Food is life. Food is health. It's culture. It's family. It means a lot of things," said Chaisson Thursday onOttawa Morning, as she shared some of her grocery-buying strategies withtheCBC'sHallieCotnam.

"But when it comes to rising prices, it means I have to pick and choose. I have to spend more time finding food that's more affordable."

Food prices across Canada have skyrocketed in recent months, pushing the cost of living up 1.6 per cent in December.

Food bank andcoupons

Chaisson, 32, is the co-chair of theCarlingtonchapter of ACORN Canada, and she lives in an apartment with her father, sisterand 16-month-old niece.

She'salso on the Ontario Disability Support Program, or ODSP, and as a result uses the Ottawa Food Bank twice a month and scours flyers for bargains and coupons.

The family'sstaples are carrots, onions, potatoes and "whatever meat we can afford," she said.

"I always have in my mind what's at home, what I need, what I can get elsewhere," said Chaisson.

"I have actually had to take away items [at the checkout counter]because my debit card gets declined. The first few times it's embarrassing, but then after a while you sort of get used to it."

• Listen to Chaissontalk more about food shopping with Hallie Cotnam.