‘Things are not okay’: Food banks calling for government action as food insecurity grows

With the cost of living continuing to rise and the need for food assistance growing nationwide, Canadian food banks are calling on all levels of government to take action.

Food Banks Canada has released its first-ever Poverty Report Cards, which gave Ontario a D- grade.

The data showed that 18.4 per cent of Canadians are experiencing food insecurity. In Ontario, it’s even higher at 19.2 per cent; while in Waterloo Region, it’s around nine per cent.

The interim CEO of the Food Bank of Waterloo Region, Kim Wilhelm, addressed the numbers in a release issued on Tuesday.

She said while the local statistic is lower than the provincial and national rates, the problem is still ballooning in the region.

“The Food Bank [of Waterloo Region] is seeing the highest need for food assistance in Waterloo Region in our almost 40 year-history,” said Wilhelm. “Sadly, this means there are more people than ever making impossible choices — buy food or heat the house, feed the kids or pay the rent.”

More than 22,000 households in Waterloo Region are accessing food assistance programs, according to Wilhelm.

Food Banks Canada has released several policy recommendations for temporary and long-term solutions, saying more needs to be done at a government-level to address increasing poverty and food insecurity.

“For too long, food banks have filled the gaps that government could not,” said Wilhelm. “But with rapidly expanding demand for food assistance, month over month, things are not okay.”

Wilhelm agrees that urgent government action is needed to address the current challenges, saying the burden food banks have been carrying is no longer sustainable.

“In our sector, it’s becoming clear that the numbers we’re seeing aren’t sustainable and we can no longer carry on as we have in the past,” said Wilhelm. “Now, more than ever, we need change, we need leadership, and we need policies that address poverty and food insecurity.”