‘If you want to know what a food bank user looks like, look in a mirror’: New report reveals poverty and hunger becoming normalized in Canada

A new report from Food Banks Canada shows poverty and hunger are becoming “normalized” across Canada. CTV’s Lauren Stallone with local reaction.

The 2025 HungerCount report from Food Banks Canada says poverty and hunger are becoming “normalized” in Canada, with nearly 2.2 million visits recorded in a single month this year.

“What it’s showing is that food bank usage has doubled since 2019 and it’s been the same reality here in London,” said Jane Roy with the London Food Bank.

Roy says the London Food Bank provides a source of food and nutrition to approximately 16,000 individuals.

The report says one in five food bank clients are employed, compared to one in 10 in 2019, something experts say points to several social issues contributing to food insecurity.

“It’s the groceries, it’s rent, it’s gas, it’s all of those things that are essential to our day-to-day and our basic needs,” explained Roy.

The report also highlights that one-third of food bank clients in Canada are children, and 8.3 per cent are seniors, up from 6.8 per cent in 2019.

While the London Food Bank says it hasn’t seen much of an increase in senior users, the demographic is certainly changing.

“We’re seeing people from older, younger, working-class families, everybody,” said Cindy Thomas, a volunteer at the London Food Bank.

“If you want to know what a food bank user looks like, look in a mirror,” added Roy.

The CEO of Food Banks Canada is concerned and believes the government needs to step in.

“We’ve been saying this for years. It doesn’t feel like the urgency is reaching the halls of power in Canada, and it concerns me about the food banks themselves,” said Kirstin Beardsley. “How can we absorb this infinite growth? But it also concerns me as a country.”

As food banks continue to shift from being a last resort to a necessity for some, the London Food Bank said it is thankful for donations from the community.

“We are here to help people. We know the situation is tough out there for everybody, so never feel like you can’t come if you need help,” said Thomas.