Research shows a rise in first-time food bank users as Canadians struggle with basic needs and inflation
New research from The Salvation Army Canada indicates an increasing number of Canadians are accessing food banks for the first time as they struggle to meet basic needs amid the high cost of living.
The Canadian Poverty and Socioeconomic Analysis, which interviewed 1,515 Canadians in March, found that 61 percent of those who recently accessed a food bank, food hamper, or community meal program were first-time users, a sharp increase from 43 percent in October 2023.
The total number of Canadians who accessed one of these programs also rose slightly from six percent last fall to seven percent this spring, as reported by The Financial Post.
“The increase in first-time users of food banks is an alarming indicator of the conditions that many Canadians are facing,” said John Murray, territorial secretary for communications at The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda, in a press release.
“We often find that when people show up at a food bank it can be the tip of the iceberg for additional issues they may be facing.”
More than a quarter of those surveyed (26 percent) indicated that they are “extremely concerned” about having enough income to cover their basic needs. The number of people who said they had skipped or reduced the size of a meal increased to 26 percent from 21 percent previously.
More Canadians admitted to buying less nutritious food and reducing their grocery bills to save money and pay for other necessities. “Despite easing inflation numbers, life is still difficult for many Canadians,” said Murray. “Food insecurity is just one symptom facing people today.”
Canada’s annual rate of inflation fell to a three-year low of 2.7 percent in April, down from 2.9 percent the month prior, according to Statistics Canada. However, 72 percent of respondents have faced challenges managing limited financial resources in the past year.
Many have cut back on non-essential needs (59 percent), changed habits to save money (52 percent), and used savings or gone into debt to afford basic needs (36 percent).
In the last year, more than three million visits were made to The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda for assistance. This included 2.1 million visits for food, clothing, or practical help, 438,000 for Christmas food hampers and toys, and 3.2 million for community meals.
