So this is part of an infrequent series. Think of it as an attempt to give you an idea of what life is like in the North. Or, think of it as a way for me to blog about something when I have no better ideas. Something even more dangerous these days now that I play on Empire Avenue. I didn't blog yesterday, my earnings and dividends dropped so my share value went down a half-dollar.
Clearly the pressure is on. If I don't blog now, I not only disappoint my regular readers, but also my shareholders. So instead of continuing my day of sloth and playing some Civilizations or rereading my Immortal Iron Fist collections, here I am, blogging.
Anyway, every now and then I like to give people an idea of how much things cost in Iqaluit. Prices in Iqaluit are scary to anybody who lives down south and so cheap they make people want to cry for those who live in the smaller communities of Nunavut. We dropped around $250 in groceries yesterday. This is what we got.
1 pkg Indian Butter Chick mix - $3.19
Garlic bread - $4.39
1 pkg of hamburger buns - $5.09
1 beef bone (for dog) - $1.99
1 rice crackers - $3.19
1 mixed crackers package - $5.79
2 bags of Tostitos - $6.59 ea
1 pkg of Pringles sticks - $5.09
3 pkgs of Welch's snacks - $3.49 ea
1 loaf of French bread - $3.69
5 poppyseed bagels - $5.99
1 pkg totillas - $5.99
2 pkgs of English muffins - $2.99 ea
0.365kg of apples - $2.41
1 pkg of strawberries - $4.69
1 box of clementines - $12.99
0.390 kg of Bartlett pears - $2.96
1 pkg green leaf lettuce - $5.99
1 pkg of mushrooms - $2.59
1 bag of onions - $4.39
1 bag of mixed peppers - $9.89
5 lb bag of red peppers - $7.99
0.210 hot house tomatoes - $1.71
1 Bolthouse fruit smoothie - $7.99
1 pkg Danone Activia Yogurt - $7.99
1 pkg Bea sour cream - $4.35
2 pkg of shredded cheese = $10.69 ea
1 Becel margarine - $10.89
1 Breyers ice cream - $13.79
1 lean cuisine diner - $5.99
1 McCain's pizza - $13.59
1 Delissio pizza - $14.99
1 Maple Leaf bacon - $8.99
There's no chicken or beef on this list because we topped up on them pretty heavily before coming up to Iqaluit over Christmas. Plus, I had a trip to Yellowknife in January and dropped a couple of hundred dollars at M&M Meat Shop. We'll probably do another top up when we're out (well Cathy will be, the jury is still out for me) over Easter.
Anyway, there you go. I honestly have no idea of how expensive that stuff is. You kind of lose perspective on groceries after you live up here long enough. But the rest of you can let me know if those numbers send chills down your spine.
Last Five
1. Nowhere with you - Joel Plaskett Emergency*
2. Undercover of the night - Rolling Stones
3. Hochie woman - Tori Amos
4. Half the truth - Kaiser Chiefs
5. All that you have is your soul - Tracy Chapman
5 comments:
BIG chills! Are you kidding me? Those prices are just outrageous! Those frozen pizzas are like $4.99 if they're on sale, which they are, a lot.
I dropped an english cucumber the other day because it was $6. I don't think we've got it as badly as you do, but everything is imported here too because you can't grow anything in the desert. Fresh stuff's the worst, obviously, they can send in the boxed goods by boat.
you know, i think the prices are pretty much the same in the smaller communities (maybe not the high arctic), but the lack of produce and lots of other stuff really does sucks. but when the smaller communities northern store have a sale, they are practically giving it away (not talking about expired food here, but electronics,clothing,food stuff that aren't moving much,etc). and of course ppl living in iqaluit are spoiled with 3 decently stocked grocery stores and countless of quickie marts and small stores.
from your list, strawberries are not $4.69 everyday though, i was shocked when i saw it at northmart and had to grab a couple. ha, so you guys grabbed all the poppyseed bagels! :p
shredded cheese is about $2 cheaper in Baffin Canners and I am pretty sure ML bacon is $2 cheaper too.
Not bad really when you factor in the cost of freight and other expenses that the grocery stores must add in as a result of being so far north.
Small town Canada can be an expensive endeavor anywhere, I have paid $3+ for a small loaf of bread in a rural prairie town as far back as the early 1990's.
Whole foods are generally cheaper and better bang for your buck overall though a price will be always be paid for highly perishable food items.
So. Long time lurker, now looking for the reason you live there....
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