Families celebrate Thanksgiving with pandemic rules and rising food costs
As people get ready to sit down for yet another pandemic Thanksgiving, turkeys are flying out the door at Nicholyn Farms.
"It's been busy with turkey sales this year. People are wanting to get together, and they are wanting bigger turkeys than last year for sure," said owner Lynda Van Casteren. "Almost 1,200 of our favourite families have come through in the last three days."
With the province giving the green light to gather with friends and family this weekend, many say this year feels more like a celebration.
"It's nicer to be able to enjoy a holiday like this with friends and family," said shopper Chris Rhora.
Still, some are being cautious and sticking close to home.
"The pandemic was happening last year, and I'm still living with the same people," said shopper Alejandro Gonzalez. "There are six of us on the property, so we all just cook different stuff; I got tasked with getting desserts."
As COVID-19 cases hold steady and the province lifts capacity limits on certain venues, it seems there is a lot to be thankful for.
"This is the culmination of all the hard work we've put in over the last 18 months, and it's starting to pay off as we return closer and closer to normal," said the past president of the Ontario Medical Association, Dr. Sohail Gandhi.
However, one noticeable difference this year, the price of the big bird has gone up.
"The wholesale price of the turkey has increased slightly," said Van Casteren.
But it's not just turkey; from produce to pie, experts say shoppers are paying more this Thanksgiving, partly due to labour shortages causing employers to pay more.
"The Agri-food sector is a high volume, low margin environment, and so if you are paying more for wages eventually, you have to adjust prices," said senior director at Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab, Dr. Sylvain Charlebois. "Beef prices are up on average about 12 per cent; chicken is up about 12 per cent, pork is up more than 6 or 7 per cent, bacon us up 18 per cent, butter 35 per cent."
Charlebois says consumers can expect to see more increases in the New Year.
But for many, just getting the chance to spend time with friends and family this year is enough to offset the added costs.
"Last year, it was just us and the kids at home; we had a turkey for ten that ended up being a turkey for four," said shopper Alyssa Rhora. "(This year) we celebrated with my parents last night and today we do the friends."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.