Canadians are struggling to find new ways to cope with rising food costs, despite the fact that that food spending is among the lowest in the world.

For the Fangrad family, which includes four young children, food is a big part of their monthly expenses.

Karen Fangrad says their monthly food bill has increased $150 a month, so she's decided to learn some new recipes.

She started looking internationally for less expensive meal options to help keep the bills down.

"Russia or other places where they're living more on, you know, staples like potatoes, rice, cabbage and root vegetables."

She's also shopping strategically, "Since we live in close proximity to seven grocery stores, it makes sense too for us to go ahead and shop the flyer first, build the menu plan around what's on sale that week and then go shop."

Grocery store food prices in Canada are up nearly six per cent from a year ago and are expected to rise another seven per cent by the end of the year.

Despite the rising prices, food spending in Canada remains among the lowest in the world, according the UN Food and Agriculture Organization.

On average, Canadians spend 12 per cent of their disposable income on food. In comparison, Indonesians spend 45 per cent on food, Chinese spend 39 per cent and Americans spend 13 per cent.

So food prices are often a bargain when considered internationally. The difference is even more glaring when individual items are considered, though it's not always cheaper in Canada.

In Canada ground beef costs half of what is paid in Australia, while in Taiwan they pay nearly four times as much.

Whole milk is more expensive in Canada than in the U.S., but is still cheaper than what you would pay in Taiwan.

Meanwhile banana prices are considerably lower here than in France, and leaf lettuce is nearly three times more expensive in Kuwait.

Nonetheless, the extra $350 Canadians are expected to pay for food this year, on top of the additional $950 for gas and the yearly seven per cent increase in electricity means savings have to be found somewhere.

For the Fangrads, the decision has been made to put off a major family trip indefinitely.

Coming up in part three: More ways you can deal with inflation and save money.