The Food Expenditure Survey (FES) is a periodic survey designed to supplement the Survey of Household Spending (SHS) with more detailed information concerning expenditures on food commodities. Food expenditure data was collected using both an interview questionnaire and two weekly diaries. Respondents were asked to provide details of daily food purchases in the diaries, including a description of the item, number of units purchased, weight or volume per unit, and total cost. 

The data was collected in the 15 metropolitan areas of the 10 provinces and is divided by regions (Atlantic provinces, Quebec, Ontario, Prairie provinces, and British Columbia).