Food businesses in Toronto, Canada, are experiencing a surge in demand, with excursions exceeding the state’s overall people, according to a new record. Over 10 % of Toronto residents rely on food banks, marking a 36 % increase from last year, the report said.
Record-breaking trips to Toronto food businesses
Almost 3.5 million food banks visits were revealed in the annual” Who’s Hungry” report released by The Daily Bread Food Bank and North York Harvest Food Bank. In comparison to the past year, this number has grown by one million trips.
” From April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024, Toronto foods businesses served a record-breaking 3.49 million consumer visits—almost 1 million more than last year. This number exceeds the City of Toronto’s full people”, the statement said.
Toronto’s population is almost 2.8 million, based on recent survey information.
” It is unimaginable that the number of consumer trips to food banks is then higher than the City of Toronto’s full people”, said Neil Hetherington, CEO of the Daily Bread Food Bank, as quoted by the Toronto Sun.
The report revealed that more than 1 in 10 Torontonians now rely on food banks, noting that this could include anyone—neighbors, friends, or colleagues. ” More than 1 in 10 Torontonians now rely on food banks. This could be you, your neighbors, friends, colleagues, or the people sitting next to you in the subway car”, the report said.
First-time food bank users increase
Additionally, the report noted a rise in the number of people who have for the first time sought emergency services from food banks. Despite food bank clients reporting higher employment rates and wages, it is becoming increasingly expensive to maintain.
” And more than ever, we are seeing people who have never before used food banks enter our emergency room and use our services.” The report claimed that the rising costs of living are making it impossible to keep up despite food bank clients reporting higher employment rates and wages.
” With no way to escape poverty, too many of our neighbors are struggling”, it adds.
Growing food insecurity
One in four Toronto households struggle to access adequate food, according to Statistics Canada, which states that 24.9 % of households experience food insecurity.
Nearly a third ( 29 % ) of these people went without food for the entire day, according to the report. Furthermore, 50 % skipped meals to afford other necessities.
Poverty aggravates food security, which is worsening.
The report emphasizes a worrying trend that has an impact on food security: Canada’s rising poverty rate. After declining between 2015 and 2020, poverty rates have risen since 2021, reaching 9.9 % nationally in 2022. Toronto presents a starker picture, with 12.6 % of its population living in poverty in 2022—a 34 % increase from the previous year, according to the report.
Surge in food bank use among newcomers
More newcomers to Canada are relying on food banks than ever, according to the Food Banks Canada report. According to the report, 32 % of food bank clients have lived in Canada for no more than ten years, a significant increase over the previous year. Within the last two years, the majority of these people have arrived.
The report attributes the rise in food bank use to rising housing costs and inflation-related inflation. Alarmingly, nearly 30 % of Canadian food banks report having to turn away clients due to a lack of food.
Financial strain on food bank clients
The report highlighted the financial strain placed on users of food banks. After covering rent and utilities, these individuals are left with a median of$ 7.78 per day for food and necessities.
According to the report, a food bank client makes an average of$ 1, 265 per month while a single person in Toronto only makes$ 2, 397 per month.
With 73 % of clients paying rent, 20 % of their income is dedicated to housing, which is a significant burden.
‘ Damage is done’
” This unthinkable rate of growth is not something food banks, nor people in Canada, can sustain. People need immediate support to repair the damage that has already been done. To solve this issue, everyone must come together. We cannot do it alone and need help to drive change”, said Kirstin Beardsley, chief executive officer of Food Banks Canada.
Key factors behind the crisis
The report pointed to “decades of underinvestment in public services, infrastructure, and social housing” as key factors contributing to the current cost-of-living crisis.
” Every food bank visit is a policy failure. Who’s Hungry 2024 is a call to action from real individuals trapped in poverty. Together, we are calling on all levels of government to create real long-term solutions to end poverty and food insecurity. Every Torontonian will be able to live a life of dignity and realize their right to food, according to the report, with the addition of more affordable housing, decent wages, newcomer support, and higher social assistance rates.
Mississauga declares food insecurity a crisis.
Food insecurity has recently been designated an emergency by the Mississauga City Council. The decision, made in a recent council meeting, emphasized the severity and persistence of food insecurity in the city.
Food insecurity has reached crisis levels and is not a temporary issue, according to a press release from the council. The council believes that too many residents have been impacted by the issue for a long time.
Statistics from Food Banks Mississauga paint a stark picture: the organization now serves 1 in 13 Mississauga residents, a significant increase from 1 in 37 in 2019. This past year alone, food banks distributed over 9 million pounds of food, a 55 % increase from the previous year. Alarmingly, one-third of those relying on food banks are children.
The Mississauga City Council is asking the federal and provincial governments to join them in declaring food insecurity an emergency in response to the growing situation.
