A new report released on Monday paints a stark picture of food insecurity in Ontario, saying food bank use has risen 38 per cent over last year.
"Ontarians are struggling to get ahead," said Feed Ontario CEO Carolyn Stewart. "While we are seeing low unemployment rates across the province, working Ontarians are having trouble earning enough income to afford today's cost of living. As a result, more people than ever before are turning to food banks."
The 2023 Hunger Report revealed more than 800,000 people accessed emergency food support in 2022. Food banks received over 5.8-million visits, up 36 per cent, the greatest single-year increase ever recorded by the province's food bank network. Use is up 101 per cent since before the pandemic.
What drove the increase was the number of first-time visitors. That number jumped by 41 per cent. Two out of five people who used food banks never did before.
The report calls on the Ontario government to boost social assistance programs by increasing rates and reducing clawbacks, investing in affordable and supportive housing, and improving labour laws. Those on Ontario Disability or Ontario Works increased by 17 per cent from 2022.
"Poverty is a policy choice -- We cannot let this record-high food bank use become the new normal," stressed Stewart.
Food bank use has been climbing for the past seven years, and while employment levels returned to pre-pandemic levels last year, it did nothing to address the increase.
More than one in six visitors had jobs, but precarious work is more common, so earnings are increasing as fast as expenses.
"It used to be that having a job meant that you would not need to access a food bank," said Stewart. "Working Ontarians are having trouble earning enough income to afford today's cost of living, even when working multiple jobs or trying to cut expenses."
The report also pointed to inadequate social assistance programs. Monthly incomes for those on assistance are still $1,300 below the poverty line.
Another factor aggravating the increase is the lack of affordable housing.
"As a fixed expense, unaffordable housing drives food insecurity and food bank use as it makes it difficult, if not impossible, to afford any other necessities," Steward continued. "Essential items like heat, hydro, medicine, and food become unobtainable when a person cannot keep a roof over their head."
More Ontario residents face housing costs that may even exceed their monthly income. The report said 22 per cent of visitors said housing costs exceed their monthly income, and two-thirds have less than $100 after paying for housing each month.
Meanwhile, food banks are struggling to keep up with demand. They were never intended to be a long-term solution or to fill gaps created by income insecurity and decreased affordability.
"We are hearing from food banks daily that they are concerned about keeping their doors open, let alone keeping supplies on their shelves," said Stewart.
Food banks also face financial challenges. Many find their own fiscal resources stretched to the limit and are making the difficult decision to reduce service, while others fear they will have to close.
If they do close, those in need may also find their access to other programs cut. Eighty-four per cent offer services beyond food support, including income tax preparation, thrift shops, emergency shelters, and public health services.