“What we’re seeing in this report (survey) is not just frustration with prices, but a deeper concern about fairness, transparency, and the future of our food economy. Trust is becoming just as important as affordability—and right now, both are under strain.” – Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, Director of the Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University
News from researchers at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia
Posted December 1st, 2025 on Niagara At Large
HALIFAX, NS — The Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University, in partnership with Caddle, has released the Fall 2025 edition of the Canadian Food Sentiment Index, offering a detailed snapshot of how Canadians think and feel about food affordability, access, trust, and purchasing behaviours as the year comes to a close.
This latest national survey highlights a population increasingly challenged by persistent food inflation, shifting purchasing habits, and growing skepticism toward food system actors. Despite pockets of optimism—particularly around local and Canadian-made foods—overall sentiment continues to reflect financial pressure and uncertainty.
Key themes emerging from the Fall 2025 report include:
- Affordability remains the dominant concern, with a majority of Canadians reporting they have changed how they shop, cook, or eat in order to cope with rising prices.
- Trust in major food retailers continues to erode, with more Canadians feeling disconnected from how prices are set and frustrated by a lack of transparency.
- Support for Canadian-grown and Canadian-made foods is rising, driven by both economic patriotism and a desire for higher perceived quality.
- Younger Canadians report the steepest decline in food confidence, while older households express growing concern about long-term access to healthy, affordable food.
Quotes
Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, Director of the Agri-Food Analytics Lab and lead investigator for the Index, says the findings underscore a turning point in the national conversation: “Canadians are adapting, but they’re tired. What we’re seeing in this report is not just frustration with prices, but a deeper concern about fairness, transparency, and the future of our food economy. Trust is becoming just as important as affordability—and right now, both are under strain.”
Charlebois notes that interest in locally produced foods continues to rise: “One of the bright spots is the renewed enthusiasm for Canadian-made products. Many households see buying local as a way to regain control—supporting farmers, supporting domestic processors, and helping strengthen Canada’s food sovereignty.”
Stacey Taylor, Senior Research Associate and co-author of the report, emphasizes how these pressures are reshaping daily behaviour: “People are making trade-offs every single day—switching brands, reducing variety, cooking more at home, or delaying purchases altogether. The data show a clear shift: affordability is now the lens through which most food decisions are being made.”
Taylor adds: “While Canadians continue to value quality, healthfulness, and sustainability, those priorities are now filtered through tight budgets. The gap between what people want and what they can afford is widening.”
About the Canadian Food Sentiment Index – The Canadian Food Sentiment Index is published twice a year by the Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University in collaboration with Caddle. It tracks how Canadians feel about food affordability, trust, access, safety, innovation, and purchasing intentions. The Fall 2025 survey draws from a large national sample, providing comprehensive insight into evolving consumer attitudes.
For more news on this report, click on – https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/canadians-save-groceries-food-costs-survey-9.6986295
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