More than one in four Nova Scotians facing food insecurity this holiday season

The CEO of Feed Nova Scotia speaks about the need for their services this time of year.

More than one in four people in Nova Scotia are food insecure, according to Canada’s Food Price Report 2025. At 28.9 per cent, the report found the province has the highest rate of food insecurity in the country.

“We know that food insecurity has increased 10 per cent in the last year,” Ash Avery, the executive director of Feed Nova Scotia, told Your Morning Atlantic’s Crystal Garrett.

“Demand is outpacing resources at this time.”

Avery says some populations, including Black and Indigenous communities and single parents and children, are more vulnerable.

“One in three visitors to a food bank is a child, and 22 per cent are under 12,” she says.

There are also alarming trends among employed Nova Scotians, says Avery.

“Over 25 per cent of folks accessing food banks are employed, which is a 14 per cent increase since last year,” she says.

The Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation made a big donation to Feed Nova Scotia after selling American products.

Avery says they will take any resources they can. She says Feed Nova Scotia distributes more than $25 million worth of food to over 130 food banks across the province each year.

“It all goes where it’s needed most,” she said.

Avery says donations of food or funds are always welcome, but there are other ways for people to get involved, including advocating for systemic change, volunteering or hosting fundraisers in their communities.

People who want to host a food drive or raise funds for the organization can get in touch with Feed Nova Scotia, who will help them register their event.

People need food today, but Avery says bigger changes are needed. The organization continues to advocate for reforms in the province that will address the root causes of food insecurity, including poverty and the rising cost of living — the main reason for food insecurity, she says.

“Folks continue to struggle to meet their basic needs,” she said. “Those are things that need to change in our province so that people don’t need to turn to food banks.”

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