An average nuclear family—made up of a man, woman, teen boy and girl—will spend $701.79 more on groceries and eating out in 2024 for a total of $16,297.20, according to an annual report from Dalhousie University, University of British Columbia, University of Guelph and University of Saskatchewan. (The Logic)

Talking point: Overall, food prices are expected to jump between 2.5 and 4.5 per cent, with the biggest gains in bakery items, meat and vegetables. That pace of growth would be slower than the increase of 5.9 per cent in 2023. The report comes as the grocery industry works on a voluntary code of conduct amid allegations of profiteering from inflation and as the Competition Bureau studies the sector. But two major grocers—Loblaw and Walmart—have criticized the code, saying it could raise prices. That opinion isn’t shared by all grocery executives. The federal agriculture minister told The Canadian Press that government intervention is possible if grocers don’t choose to join.