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Block cheese is a weekly staple in many homes: lunches, grilled cheese, pasta bakes, nachos. It also comes in so many sizes that the price on the tag tells you very little. A 200 g bar for $3 looks cheaper than a 700 g bar for $8.79, but it is not.
The short answer: in Ontario flyers from April to mid-September 2026, the cheapest block cheese per 100 g was a 700 g no name bar at $6.00 (about 86 cents per 100 g). Most good sale prices landed between $1.23 and $1.26 per 100 g, whether you bought a 400 g block at $4.92 or a 700 g bar at $8.79. Small 200 g bars and specialty cheddars cost $1.50 to $2.50 per 100 g.
What we looked at
We reviewed cheddar, marble, mozzarella and similar block cheeses in the Ontario flyer data FlyerHawk tracks from April 9 to mid-September 2026. We left out slices, shreds, string cheese, cream cheese, snack packs and prepared foods. We only used a per-100 g number when the flyer printed the size or the size was part of the product name.
Cost per 100 g by size
| Product and flyer price | Size | Per 100 g |
|---|---|---|
| no name cheese bar, $6.00 (No Frills, week of July 16) | 700 g | $0.86 |
| Black Diamond block, $4.92 (Walmart, several weeks) | 400 g | $1.23 |
| Armstrong block, $4.98 (Walmart, several weeks) | 400 g | $1.25 |
| no name cheese bar, $8.79 (No Frills and Superstore) | 700 g | $1.26 |
| Armstrong bar, $8.49 (Superstore, week of April 16) | 600 g | $1.42 |
| no name cheese bar, $3.00 (No Frills) | 200 g | $1.50 |
| Armstrong block, $2.99 (Shoppers Drug Mart) | 200 g | $1.50 |
| Black Diamond marble cheddar, $4.98 (Food Basics, week of May 28) | 320 g | $1.56 |
| Armstrong block, $4.49 (Shoppers Drug Mart) | 200 g | $2.25 |
| Balderson cheddar, $6.00 (Loblaws, Zehrs and Your Independent Grocer, week of August 13) | 250 g | $2.40 |
Three patterns in the data
1. The 400 g block on a steady sale is competitive
Walmart advertised Black Diamond 400 g blocks at $4.92 and Armstrong 400 g blocks at $4.98 in several weeks between April and September. At about $1.23 to $1.25 per 100 g, that is almost the same as a 700 g no name bar at its usual flyer price of $8.79. If you do not want to commit to 700 g of one cheese, a 400 g block at under $5 is a good buy.
2. The 700 g bar is only a deal on a deep sale
The no name 700 g bar was usually advertised at $8.79 to $9.00 (No Frills, Real Canadian Superstore and Loblaws). That is a fair price, but not a special one. The standout was $6.00 at No Frills in the week of July 16, which cut the price per 100 g by about 30%. That is the kind of week when stocking up makes sense.
3. Small bars cost more per gram
Armstrong 200 g blocks at Shoppers Drug Mart moved between $2.99 and $4.49. At $4.49, you pay $2.25 per 100 g, nearly twice the price of a 400 g block on sale. The no name 200 g bar at $3.00 was better, at $1.50 per 100 g, but still about 20% more than a 400 g block at $4.92.
Watch for size ranges in the flyer
Some flyer lines cover several sizes at one price. Examples from the period:
- "Balderson cheddar cheese, 250/280 g" at $7.00
- "Balderson cheddar cheese 250/375 g" at $6.00
- "Armstrong cheese bars, 600 g or Saputo Mozzarellissima, 690 g" at $8.49
When one price covers several sizes, the bigger size is the better deal per 100 g. At $6.00, a 375 g block is $1.60 per 100 g, while a 250 g block is $2.40.
Deli counter cheese
Cheese at the deli counter is usually priced per 100 g, not per block. A deli price of $2.57 or $2.99 can look cheap next to an $8.79 bar, but if it is per 100 g, 700 g of it would cost $18 to $21. Check the unit on the shelf tag before you compare.
Can you freeze block cheese?
Yes, but it changes the texture. Frozen and thawed block cheese tends to crumble, so it works best for shredding, melting and cooking: pasta bakes, pizza, casseroles, grilled cheese. It is less nice for a cheese board.
Tips:
- Cut big bars into 200 to 250 g pieces before freezing, so you only thaw what you need.
- Wrap tightly and put the pieces in a freezer bag.
- Or shred first and freeze in a bag, then use straight from the freezer in cooked dishes.
- Thaw in the fridge, and check the package for the maker's guidance.
A simple rule for block cheese
- Under $1.00 per 100 g: stock up and freeze some for cooking.
- $1.20 to $1.30 per 100 g: a normal good sale price. Buy what you will use in two to three weeks.
- Over $1.50 per 100 g: only if it is a specialty cheese you want, or you need a small amount.
Stop doing the division in your head
FlyerHawk tracks cheese and your other staples across the stores near you, compares each flyer price with that product's normal price, and alerts you when it is truly low. Try FlyerHawk free for 14 days and add your usual cheese to your watch list.
FAQ
What is a good price for a block of cheese in Ontario?
In Ontario flyers from April to September 2026, about $1.23 to $1.26 per 100 g was a typical good sale price (for example, 400 g for $4.92 or 700 g for $8.79). Under $1.00 per 100 g was a rare deep sale.
Is the 700 g bar always the best value?
No. At its usual flyer price of $8.79, it was about the same per 100 g as a 400 g block at $4.92. It was clearly better only on deep sales, such as $6.00.
How do I compare cheese prices?
Divide the price by the grams and multiply by 100 to get the price per 100 g. Compare that number across sizes and brands.
Does freezing ruin cheese?
It does not make it unsafe, but it can make block cheese crumbly. Use frozen cheese for cooking and melting, and follow the storage guidance on the package.
