One-quarter of Canucks will use food banks in fall: StatsCan

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An alarming number of Canadians — about 23% — say their finances are so bad they’ll have to rely on a food bank this fall, according to Statistics Canada, per Blacklock’s Reporter.

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The rate was higher than reported in Canadian Social Surveys during the pandemic when it sat at 21% in 2021.

“Findings from the current analysis show certain groups are experiencing greater financial strain due to rising prices including those with lower incomes, younger adults, households with children and persons with disability,” wrote Stats Can analysts.

The research showed that 23% said they were “likely to obtain food or meals from community organizations in the next six months.”

Among low-income households the number was much higher with 42% of poorer households saying they were likely to use a food bank this fall.

“When asked about financial related stress more than one third of Canadians, 35%, described most days as ‘quite a bit’ or ‘extremely stressful’ due to financial issues,” wrote StatsCan.

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The most stressed, said the report, were families with young children.

“Over half of households with children, 55%, reported rising prices were greatly affecting their ability to meet day-to-day expenses,” said the report.

These numbers come after 2023 testimony at the Commons agriculture committee indicating even full-time workers were using food banks.

“Things are upside down,” testified Neil Hetherington, CEO of the Daily Bread Food Bank of Toronto, the largest food bank in the nation.

“This is the very first time in the 40 years food banks have been in Canada that we have seen unemployment so low and food bank usage at the rates we are seeing right now. In fact, that number has risen to about one third of food bank clients having full time employment.”

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