British Columbians and the majority of Canadians ate out more in April, according to Statistics Canada data released Tuesday.
Total food services and drinking sales in B.C. rose 1.9% to $639.1 million in April from $626.9 million in March. That's above the national average increase of 1.3%. B.C. matched Ontario's 1.9% growth, but the highest increases came in Manitoba (2.5%) and Nova Scotia (2.7%).
While restaurant food purchase prices rose 0.3% in April, sales increased in all four sectors measured by Statistics Canada. Special food services, which are made up of food service contractors, caterers and mobile food services, rose to $302.5 million from $295.2 million. Sales at drinking establishments increased 1.8% to $212.2 million from $208.5 million. Limited service restaurant sales were up 1.2% while full-service restaurant sales rose 1%.