How to Save Money on Groceries in Canada 2026

The average Canadian household spends over $1,200/month on food. Even cutting 15-20% saves you $2,000+ per year. Here are strategies that actually work.

Canadian-Specific Strategies

1. Shop at Discount Grocers

The same products cost significantly less at discount stores:

2. Use Flashfood

Flashfood sells groceries near expiry for 50%+ off. Available at Real Canadian Superstore, No Frills, Loblaws, and others. Great for meat, produce, and dairy you'll use quickly.

3. Maximize PC Optimum Points

4. Price Matching

Many stores price match competitors' flyers:

• Walmart: Matches local competitors
• Real Canadian Superstore: Use the app to show competitor prices
• Use Flipp app to quickly find lowest prices

General Money-Saving Tips

5. Meal Plan Before Shopping

The #1 way to reduce food waste and overspending. Spend 15 minutes planning meals for the week, then shop with a list.

6. Shop the Perimeter, Buy Store Brands

Fresh food is on the perimeter; processed (expensive) food is in the aisles. And store brands (No Name, Great Value, Selection) are often identical to name brands.

7. Buy Protein in Bulk When on Sale

Freeze meat, chicken, and fish when they're discounted. Check for manager's specials on items near expiry.

8. Eat Less Meat

Meat is expensive. Even 2-3 meatless meals per week (beans, lentils, eggs, tofu) can save $50-100/month.

9. Don't Shop Hungry

This sounds cliché, but studies show hungry shoppers spend 64% more. Eat before you go.

10. Track Your Grocery Spending

You can't improve what you don't measure. Know your baseline, set a target, and track weekly.

Sample Monthly Grocery Budgets

The Bottom Line

You don't need to extreme coupon or spend hours deal-hunting. Pick 3-4 strategies from this list: shop at a discount grocer, use one rewards program well, meal plan, and buy store brands. That's enough to save $100-200/month without changing what you eat.