ello everyone! We have an exciting announcement about a major project we have been working on at The Hoser.
As we all know, the cost of living emergency has significantly impacted working people’s lives across the city. Grocery retailers are posting record profits while food insecurity increases consistently. That’s why we’re launching The Hoser’s Grocery Tracking Project.
One of our early findings is a significant difference between the price of goods at Loblaws and No Frills, both owned by Loblaw Companies. Out of 187 identical items listed for sale, 167 were more expensive at Loblaws, with an average price difference of $0.95.
This project, hosted on our website under the Grocery Tracker link at the top of this page, is a city-spanning data journalism initiative that allows visitors to see the costs of hundreds of essential goods, including produce, meat, baked goods, drinks, and more.
You can access the detailed Grocery Tracker map here.
This is only the beginning. We are aiming to expand this project in multiple ways, from an accessible search function, a table and sorting function so users can compare total costs across stores, and the inclusion of smaller markets and independent grocers.
If you have feedback for us, please email hosergrocerytracker@gmail.com. Our project will continue for a year, paying particular attention to input from the community. You can also visit our FAQ page for more info on the project.
Special thanks to the Knight Foundation and Northwestern University for making this project possible.
