The Big Story Another record-breaking year...for Canadians that go hungry
Nov 3, 2025
Kirstin Beardsley, CEO of Food Banks Canada, sheds light on Canada's alarming food insecurity crisis, revealing that food bank use has doubled since 2019, with nearly 2.2 million visits monthly. One in five users now has a job, showcasing the broad impact of rising costs. Beardsley discusses the concerning stats for child food insecurity and emphasizes the urgent need for policy reforms, including modernizing EI and introducing a groceries benefit, to combat this unprecedented demand. Her insights call for immediate action to support struggling Canadians.
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Record Food Bank Use In 2025
- Food bank visits hit a record 2.2 million in a single month in 2025, nearly double since 2019.
- Kirstin Beardsley warns this rapid growth is unprecedented and alarming.
Employment No Longer Prevents Food Bank Use
- One in five food bank users now have paid jobs, up from about 11-12% pre-2019.
- Beardsley says employment no longer guarantees the ability to afford essentials.
A Third Of Food Bank Users Are Children
- About one third of people relying on food banks every month are children.
- Beardsley calls this heartbreaking and highlights impacts on learning and development.