The number of Canadians using food banks is down a bit from last year, but is still at record high levels almost four years after the end of an economic recession. “It is shockingly 25 per cent higher today than it was in 2008, before the recession hit. So it’s record numbers of people coming for help,” says Katharine Schmidt, executive director of Food Banks Canada, which represents food banks across the country.
Too many hungry children in Canada
Half of those who use food banks are families, according to a study involving more than 4,000 food programs. Nearly four in ten of those helped by a food bank in Canada are children. “Even one child going to bed hungry in a country as prosperous as Canada is one too many,” says Schmidt.
Loss of good jobs threatens food security
A huge loss of manufacturing jobs have been lost over the last 30 years in Canada and have been replaced by service jobs that pay much less, have fewer benefits and are often part-time or temporary. Often these jobs do not provide enough to pay for housing and food.
Social assistance “not enough”
Social assistance payments from governments are not keeping up with increased costs. As an example typical payments for a disability or pension might be just over $1,000 a month, while rent on a one-room apartment would be at least $700 to $800 leaving very little for other expenses like food.
Eleven per cent of those using food banks self-identify as aboriginal, and another 11 per cent are new immigrants to Canada. These two groups suffer higher levels of poverty than the rest of the population and need help getting food.
Ways to fight food insecurity
Governments should increase access to affordable housing so Canadians are not forced to choose between paying rent or buying food, recommends Schmidt. She adds they should increase investments in education and training so Canadians can get better jobs and become self-sufficient.
Governments should invest in local food solutions in the North and it should “revolutionize” social assistance, recommends Food Banks Canada.
Food banks are not the answer
Food banks do their best to help hungry Canadians, says Schmidt, but they are not a long-term solution and they do not address the root causes of hunger in Canada.
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