Muhammad Amanullah
Date: October 9, 2026 The True Post (Web News) —Rising living costs and food prices are beginning to affect the quality of life of residents in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
According to a recent survey, Calgary residents are less satisfied with their quality of life than they were in previous years. Nearly half are concerned that their household could run out of food and that they may be unable to afford essential groceries.
The Calgary Foundation’s survey gathered responses from approximately 1,000 people. The findings indicate that food availability and affordability have become major concerns for residents. The anxiety is even more pronounced among families with children, with 53 per cent of respondents in such households expressing concern about running out of food.
Declining Quality of Life
According to the survey, Calgary’s overall quality-of-life rating fell from 66 per cent last year to 58 per cent this year. The decline indicates that rising expenses are affecting residents’ daily lives, financial security and ability to meet basic needs.
Pressure on household budgets is making it increasingly difficult for residents to balance spending on food, housing, electricity, natural gas and other essentials. For many families, a large portion of their income goes towards rent and utility bills, leaving limited money for groceries.
Turning to Food Banks for Help
Calgary resident Hari Patel described his experience of struggling to meet basic needs after losing his job. As his financial difficulties increased, someone suggested that he seek assistance from the Calgary Food Bank.
Patel said most of his income was spent on rent, utility bills and other essential expenses, leaving him without enough money to buy food.
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He said that when all available savings are used to pay rent, electricity and other bills, covering food expenses becomes difficult. In these circumstances, assistance from the food bank proved extremely important to him.
His experience reflects a broader challenge facing Calgary residents whose incomes are no longer sufficient to keep pace with rising everyday expenses.
Growing Pressure on Food Banks
According to Calgary Foundation officials, more people in the city are turning to food banks for assistance than in the past. At the same time, a decline in charitable donations has made it more difficult for these organisations to meet growing demand.
Melissa From, president and chief executive officer of the Calgary Food Bank, said inflation is also affecting the organisation’s operating costs. Alongside rising food prices, expenses associated with operating trucks, heating buildings and paying staff have also increased.
She said food banks are trying to provide food to a growing number of people in need while facing higher costs to maintain their daily operations. The decline in donations is making the situation even more challenging.
Changes in Food Choices
The survey also found that residents are changing their spending patterns and eating habits to cope with inflation. Some are buying fewer expensive food items, while many families are cutting back on restaurant visits and takeaway meals.
According to Taylor Berry of the Calgary Foundation, residents reported reducing their consumption of protein-rich foods and avoiding comparatively expensive meals to stay within their budgets.
The findings suggest that inflation is not only changing shopping habits but also influencing people’s dietary choices. When families reduce their food budgets to cover essential expenses, maintaining a balanced diet can become more difficult.
Some Improvement in Housing
The survey also identified a positive development. Although the overall quality-of-life rating declined, some housing-related indicators showed improvement.
Compared with two years ago, a greater proportion of renters and homeowners reported being able to find suitable housing that met their needs.
Despite this progress, the costs of housing, food and other basic necessities remain major challenges for residents.
Overall, the survey indicates that inflation and financial pressures are affecting the quality of life in Calgary. The growing number of people seeking food bank assistance, combined with declining donations, is placing additional pressure on the support system for families in need.
Food affordability and household expenses are likely to remain significant social and economic challenges for the city in the coming period.
