The Tedi Market is a pay-what-you-can grocery store at SAIT that offers affordable food to students. It is run by the SAIT Students' Association (Saitsa).
“I scarify my social needs to pay for my groceries” says Daniel Auvigne, a second-year business administration student at SAIT, “I skip buying the dress I see in the mall as I can barely afford it.”
According to Statistics Canada reports, from April 2021 to April 2024, the prices of food purchased from the store increased by 21.4%.
For many students, grocery shopping is one of the stressful tasks on their list. With the constant increase in prices of food, students have to make choices about what is most affordable to eat.
High Fives: Tedi welcoming students at Tedi Market on Monday, Feb. 24, 2025. The market offers fresh produce, canned and dry foods, personal hygiene items and household cleaning supplies.
Students who are dependent on part-time jobs to meet their financial needs are particularly challenging more. They are struggling to manage their rent, groceries and transportation costs.
The financial constraints lead students to find alternative solutions to meet their ends. At SAIT, Tedi Market comes to the rescue for students.
SAITSA team coordinators at Tedi Market on Monday, Feb. 24, 2025. Fresh produce, Canned and dry foods, Personal hygiene items and Household cleaning supplies are provided at market.
Tedi Market is a food security market where students who are struggling come to get groceries and pay what they can. From your wholesome eats to personal care items, SAITSA covers it all for students.
“We are the student association. We want to take care of students and help them with their difficult time,” says Maria Lizarraga, readiness program coordinator, SAITSA. “This is a safe space and we treat everyone the same” she adds.
The government believed the temporary GST/HST break would help households to save some bucks or add extra groceries to Canadians’ bags.
“It was good not to pay tax on the groceries I brought,” said CC, a second-year hospitality and tourism management student at SAIT. “It helped save a little in my pocket.”
The US government announced 25% tariffs on all Canadian imported goods, which can potentially increase the food prices. This is leading to increase in tension among students.
Tedi, mascot for SAITSA at Tedi Market on Monday, Feb. 24, 2025. The market is a community-driven initiative that helps make healthy eating accessible for all SAIT students.
Beyond struggling financially, these hiked prices also affect students’ health and academics.
High stress levels to fulfill their basic needs, such as food, add up a lot while balancing their academics, jobs and personal responsibility. This makes their existing demanding lifestyle more difficult.