A recently released survey reveals more than half of Canadian adults struggled to purchase basic necessities in the past month.

Unsurprisingly, toilet paper topped the list of items Canadians struggled to buy, followed by hand sanitizer/soap, fresh groceries and dry food. 

More than half of Canada's elderly population, who are considered high-risk for complications from the virus, struggled to purchase hand sanitizer. 

The survey from global comparison site Finder.com also revealed British Columbia experienced worse shortages than other provinces, such as Quebec. 

Approximately 60 per cent of British Columbians said they couldn't purchase essential items, compared with 47 per cent of Quebec residents, and 44 per cent of Atlantic Canada residents. 

But fresh, local groceries are still well in stock at the BC Tree Fruits Market on Vaughan Ave. in Kelowna, despite minor issues with supply in recent weeks, says produce lead Windie Jeider. 

"It has been a little bit of an issue getting some of our produce in because of the demand, and at this moment the farmers who are doing root vegetables … they’re pulling product that is not ready yet, so they can have them there for the demand. With that unfortunately prices are going up a little bit but because we are local and we try and bring in local items, we try to keep our costs minimal.

"All in all it’s been very good. Our suppliers have been very very good to us."

Store manager Ronnie McClean says they have put special measures in place to continue serving customers in an environment that is safe and healthy for everyone. 

"We’re doing what we can - eliminating cloth bags coming in, social distance markers on the floor, sanitizing pin pads and door handles and shopping carts - just doing what we can. So far, so good. We haven’t had anybody here missing work."

The BC Tree Fruits Market is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays.