Higher food prices contributed to an almost 2 per cent hike in the Consumer Price Index for February.
Statistics Canada says consumers paid 3 point 9 per cent more for food in February compared to a year ago.
Prices for food bought from stores were up 4 point 4 per cent while food purchased from restaurants was 2 point 7 per cent more expensive than the year before.
Statscan says higher fresh vegetable and fresh fruit prices contributed the most to those price hikes.
The agency says the 1 point 6 per cent increase in it's meat price index was the smallest gain for that category since January of 2014.