According to the latest Statistics Canada data, approximately 8.7 million people, or nearly 23 per cent of the Canadian population, reported food insecurity in 2022.

This is an increase of almost 1.8 million from the previous year, when the rate was 18.4 per cent, and marks the second consecutive year of increases since the beginning of the pandemic.

The latest data also confirms the results and key findings from Food Banks Canada’s most recent HungerCount report, which found there were nearly 2 million visits to Canadian food banks in one month alone.

Feeding more families

With food bank usage at an all-time high, the continued dedication and support that Food Banks Canada receives from Loblaw Companies Limited, its customers and employees has been a tremendous help to food banks.

Since 2009, Loblaw’s commitment to feeding more families through their Spring and Holiday Feed More Families™ Food Drives has resulted in more than 70 million meals being raised for families in need in communities across Canada.

Almost 500 food banks participate in the Spring and Holiday Food Drives, which provided more than $3.4 million in funds and 2.6 million pounds of food in 2023 alone.

In acknowledgement of this heightened need, and to mark the milestone of celebrating 15 years of food drives supporting local food banks across the country, Loblaw has provided $770,000 in additional funding to select food banks in the network.

Thank you, Loblaw, for your outstanding partnership in supporting your Canadian neighbours in need, at a time when that need is at the highest level that we have seen. Your partnership has been, and continues to be, a lifeline for many Canadians relying on your support.

In Alberta, Interfaith Food Bank Society of Lethbridge Executive Director Danielle McIntyre said they are grateful to partner with the Loblaw store in their community.

“We are grateful for the support we receive from the Loblaw Feed More Families Spring and Holiday Food Drives,” McIntyre said. “In addition to the food and funds collected from these campaigns, we benefit from the staff engagement that inspires community members to ensure that every family can put food on the table. It’s great to have relationships with our local Loblaws stores, they know our community and dedicate time, effort, food, and funds to ensure that no one in our community needs to go without.”