Poverty, hunger ‘normalized’, Food Banks Canada reports

Food Banks Canada says poverty and hunger are becoming “normalized” across the country, as food bank visits continue to soar.

The organization released its 2025 HungerCount report Monday, showing nearly 2.2 million monthly visits to food banks — almost double the number recorded in 2019.

The report found that one in five people relying on food banks are employed. Children account for one-third of all food bank clients, representing roughly 712,000 monthly visits this year — up by more than 300,000 compared to 2019.

“Canada’s HungerCount is relentlessly growing in the wrong direction,” said Kirstin Beardsley, CEO of Food Banks Canada.

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The report also found that 70 per cent of food bank users live in market-rent housing, while 8.3 per cent are seniors — up from 6.8 per cent in 2019.

“We cannot build a strong Canada when our neighbours are hungry,” Beardsley said.

“If we prioritize resources and invest in the policies that matter most, we can build a Canada where everyone has access to the food they need to thrive.”

HungerCount is the only national research study of food banks and food programs in Canada. It was launched by Food Banks Canada in 1989.