Food bank visits in Alberta are reaching unprecedented levels, reflecting a dramatic rise in food insecurity. Each year, Alberta Food Banks conduct the Hunger Count, a crucial initiative that gathers data during March to provide a snapshot of food bank usage.
According to the 2023 Hunger Count, food banks across Alberta recorded 174,311 visits, with children making up 63,729 of these visits. This marks a staggering 94% increase compared to 2019, highlighting the growing need for support.
Nationally, the situation is equally dire. In March 2023, food bank visits across Canada exceeded 1.9 million, setting a new record for the second consecutive year.
For detailed insights and further information from Food Banks Canada’s Hunger Count, visit: https://foodbankscanada.ca/hungercount/.
Food insecurity is a complex issue that requires the combined efforts and collaboration of all stakeholders, including both public and private sectors.
The need for food banks in our community can be attributed to multiple factors, including the cost of living, unemployment and underemployment, salary levels not keeping pace with the inflation rate, increased transportation costs, housing insecurity, and personal struggles such as divorce and health issues.
The purchasing power of households across all demographics, including those in higher income brackets, is currently strained, with everyone potentially vulnerable to experiencing food insecurity.
Many Albertans struggle to pay for basic expenses and live paycheck to paycheck. All too often, impossible choices must be made. Food is sacrificed out of necessity to pay for housing, childcare, and utilities, resulting in individuals and families going hungry.
Unfortunately, children are often overrepresented in food bank client numbers, accounting for approximately 35% of the total people served.
Food insecurity profoundly affects individuals, families, and entire communities. The programs offered by Alberta Food Banks play a crucial role in mitigating these effects and supporting the well-being of those we serve. These impacts include:
Poor nutrition: Food-insecure individuals often lack access to a balanced diet, leading to deficiencies in essential nutrients. Chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease are more prevalent among those experiencing food insecurity.
Mental health: Anxiety, depression, and stress are associated with inadequate access to food. Thoughts of how you will feed yourself and your family are a daily worry.
Impaired cognitive development: Malnutrition affects children’s learning abilities and academic performance.
School attendance: Hunger can lead to absenteeism and lower educational outcomes. Hungry minds cannot concentrate.
Physical growth: Adequate nutrition supports physical growth. Children who receive proper nutrients are more active, have better short and long-term health outcomes, and experience fewer sick days.
Reduced productivity: Adults facing food insecurity may struggle to maintain employment due to the mental and physical health impacts of an inadequate diet.
Increased healthcare costs: Health problems related to poor nutrition can strain healthcare systems and increase the need for costly health interventions.
Stigma and shame: Food insecurity can lead to feelings of embarrassment and isolation. Social activities and interactions surrounding food are limited.
Strained relationships: Families may experience tension due to financial stress and food scarcity. Stress and worry are constant and can impact every relationship in a person’s life.
Increased reliance on food banks: Food insecurity often goes hand in hand with other issues and burdens community resources and support systems.
Reduced social cohesion: Communities with high food insecurity rates may struggle to support one another. People struggling to feed themselves and their families have less time, energy and resources to participate fully within their communities.
Food Banks Alberta and food banks across the province are key in solving food insecurity. We have 113 food bank members currently providing healthy, nutritious food for people struggling to put food on their tables.
Food banks in Alberta accessed our programs 629 times in 2023.
How Food Banks Alberta’s Programs Are Making a Difference for Families and the Economy
2,038,465 lbs
Of Food in 2023
436,320
Eggs from Egg Farmers Alberta
45%
Of Alberta Food Bank Users are Families with Children
1,081
Total Distributions of Food in 2023
Food banks are great community partners. They are the cornerstones of their communities and, all too often, may offer the only support available within the area.
Though food banks’ primary responsibility and mandate is to feed, they often provide many additional supports and services out of necessity.
They offer information and supportive listening to our clients facing various challenges.
They offer referrals to income support, affordable or subsidized housing options, transportation, subsidized counselling or mental health support, career development and job search programs.
Many food banks also provide healthy and nutritious food for school breakfast, lunch programs, and snacks for community after-school programs.
These programs provide food that children might not otherwise have access to in their homes and supplement their nutritional needs every day.
Food security directly impacts children’s health outcomes, and these valuable programs ensure that Alberta’s children have access to nutritious food to help them thrive and succeed.
Canadians turn to food banks every month just to make ends meet, however, many misconceptions still exist regarding individuals who access these services.
Here’s a look at common myths regarding food bank usage in Alberta.
Food banks create dependence among the people they help.
Some believe that receiving food from a food bank makes individuals less likely to find a job and earn money to purchase food on their own.
However, statistics point out that many people who use food banks do so temporarily, and close to half of them stop using food banks after their initial visit.
Many people who use food banks don’t really need them.
Food banks have honest and meaningful conversations with our clients where we get to know their needs and struggles before providing support.
Food Banks have systems to ensure food reaches those who genuinely need it.
Everyone who uses the food bank is either unemployed or on social assistance.
The reality is more complex. People accessing food banks do so for various reasons, and many would be surprised to learn that people who get food from a food bank are often housed, working, and educated. These are people who have faced unexpected changes in their lives and need support.
Of the Albertans who accessed food banks in 2023, 21.7% reported employment as their primary source of income.
Your generosity makes a direct impact. Every dollar you give helps Food Banks Alberta provide essential food and support services to those in need across the province.
Donate today and help ensure that no one in Alberta goes hungry.
Join a dedicated team of volunteers and make a difference in your community. Your time and efforts are invaluable, from sorting donations to assisting in local food drives. Volunteer and be part of the change you wish to see in Alberta.
Strengthen your organization’s impact by partnering with Food Banks Alberta. Together, we can expand our reach and enhance the support provided to communities across Alberta. Partner with us to create sustainable change and drive meaningful community initiatives.
