CANADA – People across Canada are sharing how much they’re struggling to afford groceries as food prices increase, even with some grocery stores signing on to price freeze agreements.
They’re also pointing to the Canadian grocery store monopoly, with a handful of big players controlling the majority of the market.
For example, Loblaws grocery stores, Shoppers Drug Mart, Real Canadian Superstore, Fortinos, and NoFrills are just some of the stores owned by Loblaw Companies Ltd.
As people continue to struggle due to inflation, companies are making a larger profit than ever before. Now, people are looking for ways to opt out of the Canadian grocery store monopoly, and Canadian TikToker Clairina Paquette is sharing her solution.
Paquette is trying to connect people with local farmers in their area who can provide fresh products for lower prices than you’d find in Canadian grocery stores. In a video posted to TikTok, she says she’s launching a website that will eventually help people connect with farmers across the province and country.
Introducing Earth Cows
Called Earth Cows, the website is currently accepting both farmers and shoppers. Farmers can list products including meat, milk, and vegetables for people to browse and buy directly. Paquette describes Earth Cows as a solution to price hikes and shortages at Canadian grocery stores.
“Earth Cows is your third alternative to grocery stores,” Paquette, who is a farmer herself, explained on TikTok.
“When you are sick and tired of them gouging the prices you now have the option to find farmers quickly,” she continued.
The site founder explained that Earth Cows has only been up and running for a few weeks, so it will require more consumers and producers to sign up in order for the website to be more useful.
And online, many people love the idea.
“I LOVE this!!!! I normally buy/pick seasonal fruit from local farmers, but will now use this option year round! Bun loblaws, dem too damn teef!,” shared one person on Instagram.
“I’ve been doing this for 5 years now in Durham Region, has a lot of farms close by,” someone else pointed out.
“If we all did this and we grew our own at home we could take our money elsewhere. This would be a game changer!” shared another person on TikTok.
Let us know in the comments, how do you feel about this idea?
2 Responses
I touched location, but it says there’s nothing in my area..
Thank you for sharing!!