A record-breaking 1,001,150 people in Ontario relied on food banks between April 2023 and March 2024, marking a 25% increase compared to the previous fiscal year, according to new data from Feed Ontario. The network, which includes more than 1,200 food banks and hunger-relief organizations, reported an “unprecedented” 7.6 million visits during this period—more than double the number from 2019-2020. This surge reflects the rising tide of unaffordability in the province as inflation, housing costs, and a changing job market push more residents into financial hardship.
Feed Ontario CEO Carolyn Stewart expressed alarm at the figures, calling them “completely staggering.” She noted that food bank usage has been on a steady rise for the past eight years, but the current situation is particularly dire. “People in Ontario are drowning in the rising tide of unaffordability,” Stewart said at a recent news conference. “The cost of living has surged, and for too many people, there’s simply no life raft in sight. Instead of being thrown a lifeline, more and more people are being pulled under, trapped in the cycle of poverty.”
Working-Class Struggles
Stewart highlighted a concerning trend: working people are among the fastest-growing demographic turning to food banks. Even those with jobs are struggling to make ends meet as wages fail to keep pace with the rising cost of living. “It’s no longer just the unemployed or those on social assistance who are relying on food banks,” she explained. “People who are working full-time jobs are finding it impossible to cover basic needs like rent, utilities, and groceries.”
The situation is particularly dire in cities like Mississauga, where the food insecurity rate has skyrocketed by 58% in the past year alone. “In 2019, one in 37 residents in Mississauga used the food bank; now it’s one in 13,” said Meghan Nicholls, CEO of Food Banks Mississauga. “We are a big city with a big-city problem of hunger, poverty, and homelessness.”
Students and Youth Hit Hard
The affordability crisis is also impacting students and young people, who are often juggling low-wage or part-time jobs while facing skyrocketing rent prices. Christy Upshall, CEO of Our Place Peel, a non-profit organization that shelters young people, pointed out that many youths simply don’t have enough income to cover basic necessities. “It’s just not enough money to put food on their table,” she said. “It’s certainly a crisis.”
Rising Demand, Strained Resources
As the demand for food bank services grows, many organizations are struggling to keep up. Stewart revealed that nearly 70% of food banks in the Feed Ontario network are experiencing food shortages, while over 50% are concerned about funding shortfalls that could jeopardize their ability to operate. “This is what happens when you rely on a system that’s meant to deal with emergencies,” Stewart said. “Food banks are meant to provide short-term relief, not serve as a long-term solution to food insecurity.”
In a sobering twist, many former donors to food banks are now becoming clients. “Many of those who used to contribute to food banks are now turning to them for support,” Stewart said, underscoring the growing desperation among the population.
Government Response and the Call for Action
Feed Ontario is calling for urgent government action to address the root causes of food insecurity and poverty. Stewart emphasized the need for better social services, including adjustments to ensure that social assistance programs keep pace with inflation and the actual cost of living. “These programs have fallen into disrepair and have been ignored for too long,” she said. “We need to see social services that are robust enough to meet the demands of those relying on them.”
While Ontario’s Ministry of Children, Community, and Social Services has pointed to initiatives such as raising the minimum wage, increasing payments for children with severe disabilities, and boosting the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), many advocates say these measures are not enough. Stewart acknowledged the efforts but stressed the need for more comprehensive action to prevent the situation from worsening. “We need solutions that address the root of the problem, not just the symptoms,” she said.
The Ministry also called on the federal government to provide additional funding to support families in need, but the exact nature of such support remains unclear. Meanwhile, food banks across the province are launching their Thanksgiving collection drives, urging the public to donate as the need continues to climb.
A Glimmer of Hope
Despite the bleak numbers, Stewart remains hopeful that change is possible. She pointed to the rapid government response during the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically citing the Canadian Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) as proof that policymakers can act swiftly in times of crisis. “The government has shown they can respond quickly when needed. Now, we just need everyone to hear this call to action,” she said.
As nearly one in four Canadians reported food insecurity in 2022, experts and advocates fear the situation will worsen unless decisive action is taken. However, Stewart believes that with coordinated efforts from all levels of government and increased public awareness, progress can be made. “We are at a critical juncture, but it’s not too late to turn the tide,” she said.
The coming months will be crucial for Ontario’s food banks, as they brace for even higher demand. With over one million Ontarians relying on these services, the need for immediate intervention has never been more pressing.
4o
