Ontario food banks ‘cannot keep up’ as usage reaches 8-year high

Ontario food banks are struggling to keep up with demand as usage has surged to an eight-year high, according to a new report.

Feed Ontario, a network of food banks across the province, released data on Tuesday revealing that 1,001,150 Ontarians visited a food bank at least once between April 1, 2023, and March 31, 2024. This marks a 25% increase compared to the same period in 2022-23.

“When we shared record-breaking data last year, we thought that would be the peak. But food bank use continues to rise as more Ontarians struggle to make ends meet,” said Carolyn Stewart, CEO of Feed Ontario, in a statement. “When will our governments say enough is enough and take meaningful action against food insecurity and poverty?”

The report indicated that food bank visits reached 7.6 million in 2023-24, highlighting that rising living costs and “heightened economic vulnerability” are key factors driving food insecurity.

Feed Ontario also pointed to policy failures, such as the weakening of social support programs, inadequate investment in affordable housing, and the increase in precarious work, as reasons why more Ontarians are turning to food banks.

This growing pressure is straining food banks, with 69% expressing concerns about having enough food to meet demand, as seen in southern Ontario earlier this year. Additionally, 53% worry about securing sufficient funding to meet the rising need in their communities.

2023-24 marks the eighth consecutive year of increasing food bank use in Ontario. During that time, food banks were visited 7,689,580 times, representing a 31% increase from 2022-23 and a 134% rise from 2019-20.

“Food banks are struggling to keep up with the unprecedented demand,” Stewart said. “Across the province, we’re hearing reports of long lines, empty shelves, and fears that some food banks may be forced to close.”

With more people in financial distress, Feed Ontario’s report suggests fewer individuals can support food banks through donations. In June, Food Banks Canada estimated that 25% of Canadians may now live in poverty, unable to afford two or more essential household items.

Feed Ontario is urging the Ford government to create a new poverty reduction strategy to ensure access to basic living standards for those in need.

At a news conference, Heather Hayes, executive director of the Orangeville Food Bank, said food banks have become more than an emergency response.

“We are now the safety net for many in our community,” Hayes said. “No problem is too great to solve, but policy change is what will bring us out of this crisis quickly.”

As part of Hunger Action Month in September, Feed Ontario is calling on all Ontarians to support their local food banks and advocate for policy reforms. “Food banks were only ever meant to be a temporary measure,” Stewart said. “They weren’t designed to fill the gaps left by weak social safety nets. We need to act now.”