More Canadians going hungry amid soaring inflation: Food Banks Canada

New figures are showing just how seriously inflation is affecting access to food in Canada.

According to Food Banks Canada, about 7 million Canadians reported going hungry at least once between March 2020 and March of this year. The rising cost of living across the country is only making the situation more dire.

The research finds almost a quarter of people admit they are eating less “than they think they should” because they simply cannot afford it.

The organization says food banks are already stretched thin, adding higher demand is expected to continue through the summer.

“This summer will be the toughest Canada’s food banks have ever experienced in our 41 year history,” said Food Banks Canada CEO Kirstin Beardsley.

Meanwhile, 61 per cent of Canadians surveyed believe rising housing costs are the biggest barrier preventing people from being able to buy food — a sentiment Food Banks Canada says has doubled in the past year.

Beardsley says food banks across much of Canada are seeing a spike in people turning to these organizations for the first time. Many former food bank clients are also returning, “after 5 or more years of not having to rely on food banks to get by.”

But it’s not just rising inflation and housing that’s affecting people’s wallets. Gas prices are also on a continued rise, shattering records in various parts of Canada.

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In Metro Vancouver alone, the price at the pump has surpassed the $2.30 mark for a litre of regular, with no relief in sight in the short term as we approach the summer driving season.

“The biggest sign that inflation is seriously impacting hunger and food insecurity in Canada, is that the reasons why people say they are coming to food banks is changing,” explained Beardsley.

“In the past, people would turn to food banks during times of job loss, or due to lower wages — but over the past six months, Canadians are telling us that they are running out of money for food because of rising housing, gas, energy and food costs. That’s an indication that we need to find new longer-term solutions to fight hunger and food insecurity.”

Canada’s inflation rate hit 6.8 per cent in April. Meanwhile, food inflation rose 9.7 per cent that month, compared to April 2021. Statistics Canada says it the biggest jump in the price of groceries since September 1981.

Many food security advocates have warned that more people will go hungry as the cost of groceries climbs and the need at food banks becomes greater.

Food Banks Canada is encouraging people to support their local organizations. You can find a food bank here.

-With files from Mike Lloyd