Back-to-school lunches need ‘flexibility’ amid uneven food prices: report

As Canadian families prepare to return to school, they may encounter a mix of food prices and the need for flexibility when planning their children's lunches, according to a new report from Dalhousie University’s Agri-Food Analytics Lab. While food prices were better in August compared to the previous month, they remain uneven. The lab’s "focused school-lunch basket," consisting of 12 popular items, saw a 2.8% decrease in price.

Cheaper bagels, bottled water, cheddar cheese, tuna, and peanut butter helped offset costs for items like orange juice, which increased from $7 to $7.44. However, the lab warns that prices are not set to stay low.

Grocers are vigorously competing for back-to-school spending, benefiting consumers for now, but later this fall, seasonal pressures and promotional activity may lessen. Prices can also vary depending on one's location. A 12-item school lunch basket ranges from $52.05 in Quebec City to $56.48 in St. John's.

The cost of back-to-school shopping, including food, is rising. A survey of nearly 1,400 parents of children from kindergarten to Grade 12 found that 91% reported increased prices for school items, with 53% considering them "a lot more" expensive. Parents are seeking deals, with 43% looking for the best price, 24% focusing on good selection, and 14% relying on ads, flyers, and promotions.

Despite price increases, 93% of Canadian children will bring packed lunches or snacks to school this year, according to a Field Agent Canada survey. To manage a budget, the Agri-Food Analytics Lab recommends focusing on staple foods that didn't increase in price, such as Greek yogurt, whole-wheat bread, bananas, and carrots. Rotating fruits based on weekly prices and maintaining a diverse protein selection like tuna or cheddar cheese, which saw a price drop, is also advised.

A simple lunch formula includes one grain, one protein, one fruit or vegetable, and water. However, it's essential to adapt portions and ingredients to a child's needs, as well as school nutrition and allergy policies. The lab emphasizes the most effective strategy for families is flexibility, suggesting rotating fruits and proteins according to weekly prices, comparing unit prices, and taking advantage of meaningful promotions.

The report cautions that changes in cost due to tariff escalations or disruptions could create issues, with imported produce, packaged foods, and juices being most vulnerable.