Join the effort: Help CBC document the cost of food and share tips for a tough winter

Peanut butter, cooking oil, chicken — what hasn't increased in price over the past year?

Vibrant Communities Calgary found the average family is spending $220 more per month on groceries this year over last. That can be tough on a tight budget.

This is why CBC Calgary is launching a special focus on food stress and insecurity.

But we don't want to simply produce a bunch of stories this season and walk away. We really want this to make a difference. And for that, we need your help.

If you care about the high cost food, will you be part of our texting community? Will you share your tips and tell us what stories you think we should tackle next?

Subscribe above with your cellphone number. We'll send you an update a week and ask your advice for our next steps. It's free as long as you have a cellphone plan that covers text messaging, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

You can also sign up and read an FAQ on the texting app here.

Thank you in advance for your support!

If you don't have a cellphone, feel free to email your ideas to journalist Elise Stolte at elise.stolte@cbc.ca. Let me know what food-related story you'd like to see on CBC Calgary.