As food inflation continues to impact consumers across Canada, a retired butcher from southwestern Manitoba is encouraging shoppers to be strategic in their purchases and more mindful of waste.
Hubert Muckel, a longtime meat cutter, says tariff-related pressures on Canadian agriculture — particularly from China and the threat of new U.S. trade actions — are key drivers behind rising grocery prices.
“The same pork back ribs that were $3 a pound six months ago are now double that,” Muckel notes. “Even locally grown produce like Manitoba tomatoes has nearly tripled in price.”
To stretch the food dollar, Muckel recommends buying on-sale items that can be frozen, choosing products with longer shelf life, and always checking best-before dates. His recent grocery trip revealed three different expiry dates on the same milk product — a reminder that not all inventory rotation is equal.
“Sometimes we need to adjust — buy a cheaper cut and support local butcher shops,” he says. “There are plenty in western Manitoba relying on the local economy.”
Muckel also acknowledges the difficulty in avoiding imported produce due to limited Canadian supply, especially during colder months. Still, he emphasizes that careful selection, buying Canadian-made when possible, and reducing waste can make a real difference.
“Buy what you can consume safely without throwing it out. That’s just good food sense.”
