As food prices rise, alternative grocery stores help Canadians access cheap and healthy eats: ‘It’s so nice’

Vancouver: Sharlene Cosgrave feels like she hit the jackpot lately, but it’s not about money. For the past nine months, she’s been part of a unique market that offers “rescued food.” This weekly market, run by the Food Stash Foundation, provides surplus food from various sources at a fraction of the cost.

To join, you enter a lottery. If you’re picked, you can shop for just $24 over three months, which is about $2 per visit. The selection includes meats, dairy, produce, and snacks. Unlike food banks, where you take what you get, here you can choose what you need. Sharlene loves that freedom.

The food comes from different places—some items might be slightly imperfect, while others are overstock or nearing their best-before dates. But everything is still good to eat. This market is just one of many alternative grocery options popping up across Canada, helping people cope with rising food costs.

In Montreal, there’s a grocery store called 3 Paniers that operates on a pay-what-you-can model. Customers choose from three price tiers at checkout. The lowest price helps those in need, while the higher prices support the store’s sustainability. It’s a community-driven approach that’s been well-received since it opened in early 2022.

In Toronto, Feed it Forward offers a similar concept, allowing customers to pay what they can or take food for free. It’s run by volunteers and relies on donations from local businesses. One customer, Zack, appreciates the flexibility and affordability, noting that prices are often 50 to 75 percent lower than traditional stores.

Sharlene sometimes leaves the market with so much food that she can share with her neighbors. She finds joy in being able to help others who might struggle to access healthy food. It’s a heartwarming reminder of how these alternative grocery stores are making a real difference in people’s lives.