The executive director of the Ottawa Food Bank says he expects to see more people needing their services, as food prices continue to rise.
A Dalhousie University study forecasts food prices will rise between three and five per cent annually, with pork, poultry, vegetables, and fish headling the list.
Michael Maidment said the increases will push the budget of many families over the edge, and they'll have to turn to the food bank to feed their families.
Maidment added it will also mean the food bank will end up buying less fresh produce to distribute to families in need.
"The $1.4-million that we spend now on food won't go as far, if prices creep up three, four, five per cent." he said.
"That's a significant increase."
Maidment is also concerned that donations of both food and cash will drop off.
"If people are spending more money on their own food budgets, then they may have less to donate as well."