We Canadians are being warned to brace for higher food prices next year.

The 2021 Annual Food Price Report says increased costs for bread, meat and vegetables are all expected to push grocery bills up by about 5 percent.

Translated into cash, the experts say an average Canadian family of four will pay nearly $700 more on food next year for a total yearly grocery bill of nearly $14-thousand.

The Dalhousie University professor who is lead author blames the pandemic, wildfires and changing consumer habits for the highest forecasted increase since the report’s inception 11 years ago.

“Families with less means will be significantly challenged in 2021, and many will be left behind,” says Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, “Immunity to higher food prices requires more cooking, more discipline and more research. It’s as simple as that.”