When I moved here to Ottawa, I almost cried over our grocery bill, it sky rocketed from our previous home.

Besides the difference in price of groceries from area to area, I think how much groceries cost also depend on the type of food you serve. I have a friend who has a family of 7 and has 7 kids in her daycare (2 are over 10) and she runs about $1000 in groceries too. I will also willingly admit she is more frugal than I am and I could take some lessons. lol.