10 Things Newcomers Should Know About Canadian Grocery Stores

Canada has different kinds of stores where you can buy food:

• Supermarkets: These are big stores with lots of food and household items. Examples are Loblaws, Sobeys, and Metro.
• Discount Stores: These stores have lower prices but fewer brands. Look for No Frills, FreshCo, or Food Basics.
• Warehouse Stores: Places like Costco sell food in big amounts. You need a membership to shop here.
• Specialty Stores: These focus on specific types of food. There are stores for organic food, ethnic foods, and more.

Tip: Try different stores to see which ones you like best!

If you’re looking for the biggest supermarkets in Canada, you might want to check out Loblaws, Sobeys, and Metro. These large chains offer a wide variety of products and often have multiple locations throughout the country, making them convenient options for your grocery shopping needs.

In addition to grocery shopping, you might be interested in finding discount clothing stores. Stores like Winners, Marshalls, and Giant Tiger offer a wide variety of clothing options at lower prices. These stores often have great deals and can be a fantastic way to save money on fashion and household items.

Canadian food labels have important information:

• Nutrition Facts: This table shows what’s in the food. It lists things like calories, fat, and vitamins.
• Ingredients List: This tells you everything that’s in the food, from most to least.
• Expiry Dates: “Best Before” dates tell you when food is at its best quality. “Expiry” dates are on things like baby formula and mean you shouldn’t use it after that date.
• Country of Origin: This tells you where the food comes from.

Remember: Labels in Canada must be in both English and French!

Most big grocery stores in Canada are set up in a similar way:

• Produce: Fruits and vegetables are usually near the entrance.
• Bakery: Fresh bread and baked goods are often close to the produce.
• Deli: This is where you can find sliced meats and cheeses.
• Meat and Seafood: These sections are usually along the back wall.
• Dairy: Milk, cheese, and eggs are typically in the back corner.
• Center Aisles: This is where you’ll find canned goods, pasta, cereal, and other packaged foods.
• Frozen Foods: These are usually in the last aisle. Tip: Make a list before you go shopping. It will help you find things faster.

Tip: Make a list before you go shopping. It will help you find things faster!

Canada’s weather changes a lot during the year. This affects what fruits and vegetables are available:

• Spring: Look for asparagus, rhubarb, and strawberries.
• Summer: Enjoy local berries, peaches, and tomatoes.
• Fall: This is the time for apples, pears, and squash.
• Winter: Root vegetables like carrots and potatoes are common.

Buying fruits and vegetables that are in season often means better prices and fresher food.

Canada has strict rules about dairy products:

• Milk: You can buy whole milk (3.25% fat), 2%, 1%, or skim milk (0.1% fat).
• Cream: Types include half-and-half (10% fat), coffee cream (18%), and whipping cream (35%).
• Butter: Look for grades like Canada 1 (the best) or Canada 2.
• Cheese: Canada makes many types of cheese. Try Canadian cheddar or Montreal-style bagels with cream cheese!

Note: You might not find unpasteurized milk products in regular stores. These are less common in Canada.

Meat in Canadian stores is graded for quality:

• Beef Grades: Canada Prime (the best), AAA, AA, and A.
• Chicken Grades: Canada A (the best), Canada B, and Canada C.
• Pork: Usually not graded, but look for labels like “Canada Approved.”

Meat cuts might have different names than you’re used to. Don’t be shy to ask the butcher for help!

Try these Canadian foods in your local grocery store:

• Maple Syrup: Real Canadian maple syrup is a must-try!
• Poutine: Look for cheese curds in the dairy section to make this famous dish.
• Ketchup Chips: A unique Canadian snack.
• Caesars: Look for Clamato juice to make this Canadian cocktail.
• Nanaimo Bars: A sweet treat from British Columbia.

Exploring these foods is a tasty way to learn about Canadian culture!

Some things might be packaged differently in Canada:

• Milk: Often sold in bags in some provinces, as well as cartons and jugs.
• Eggs: Usually sold by the dozen in cartons.
• Measurements: Canada uses the metric system. Look for liters (L) for liquids and grams (g) or kilograms (kg) for weights.

Tip: 1 kilogram is about 2.2 pounds, and 1 liter is a bit more than 4 cups.

Many provinces have a deposit system for bottles and cans:

• You pay a small deposit when you buy drinks in cans or bottles.
• Return the empty containers to get your deposit back.
• Look for recycling bins in stores or special bottle depots.

Recycling is important in Canada. Many communities have blue bins for recyclables and green bins for compost.

Most big grocery stores have loyalty programs:

• You can get a free card that gives you points when you shop.
• Save up points to get free groceries or other rewards.
• Some popular programs are PC Optimum (for Loblaws stores) and Air Miles (used in some grocery stores).

These programs can help you save money, so it’s a good idea to sign up!