PRICE OF FOOD OUT OF REACH

The price of food for most people has become a costly, dreaded hardship. For those on a fixed income, it is overwhelming.

Shopping for a few things in five different stores, I noticed the price of the healthiest foods are completely out of reach for the people on pensions, employment insurance, disabilities pensions or welfare. Some things are hard to get due to shipping problems.Yet, everyday foods that are made here in P.E.I. or trucked from the mainland are still pricey. Seniors in many cases do not get any breaks on the sales of even the necessities. Why would any store put a sale on for two for $5 or three for $7 when one senior needs only one at sales price? They gouge the guts out of people who have the least buying power by paying the full price for one. The greed in every store can be felt from pricetags.

Following are some statistics taken from a government report on the internet:

“The age cohort with the largest percentage increase over the past 10 years has been for those aged 65 and over. The number of people aged 65 and over on Prince Edward Island was estimated to be 33,256 on July 1, 2021, an increase of 3.5 per cent over 2020.

“From 2011 to 2021, the senior population has risen by 45.3 per cent or by 10,376 people.

“The largest increase has been in the 65 to 74 age group, as the baby boomers move into retirement age. This age group has increased by 57.1 per cent since 2011, or by 7,232 people.

“The 75 to 84 age group increased by 34.7 per cent (2,507 people) over this period, while the 85 and over age group increased by 21.3 per cent (637 people).” (P.E.I. Population Report 2021)

Most seniors and other vulnerable groups worked hard all their lives. Through no fault of their own, they are on fixed incomes.

For many people there never seems to be a respite from the corporate greed before meeting St Peter.

Flora J. Thompson, Charlottetown, P.E.I.