London Food Bank demands up nearly 12% so far in 2026 as Curb Hunger food campaign kicks off

The City of London and the London Food Bank have launched the London Cares Curb Hunger food campaign. CTV's Brent Lale reports.

The demand at the London Food Bank (LFB) never stops.

“We just ran the numbers for the first three months of this year versus the first three months of last year, and we’re already up 11.2 per cent in terms of Londoners coming to us,” said Jane Roy, co-executive director at the LFB.

The LFB and the City of London are asking for help as they partner for the London Cares Curb Hunger food campaign for the 30th year.

“We oftentimes talk about poverty doesn’t take a summer holiday,” added Roy. “As you and I are trying to figure out our summer plans and where we’re going, people who come to the food bank oftentimes struggle, and they’ve got kids at home.”

The campaign runs from June 1 to June 14 and it’s simple; donate food or cash at the LFB.

You can drop off items at grocery store bins, or sign up for the ‘Plant a Row, Grow a Row’ program using one of London’s community gardens.

“I’ve seen people in every garden throughout the city either grow a row or sometimes even an entire plot of food to share with Londoners through the food bank,” said Jennifer Martino, director of neighbourhood development and support for the City of London.

“We hope that more Londoners will participate in this year’s Curb Hunger campaign. You can just plant a little bit extra, take that fresh produce to the food bank, and the food bank will be able to distribute it right away to Londoners who would like to try what you’ve grown,” said Martino.

It’s neighbours helping neighbours.

“If you are someone who grows your own food and donate some of it back into the community, you are contributing back to a community that needs it,” said London Mayor Josh Morgan.

“Through this campaign alone, over 86,000 pounds of food was donated to the London Food Bank and got back into the hands of Londoners who need it. It is ultimately taking pressure off of a family or an individual who is struggling to make ends meet,” added Morgan.

During the month of March, Roy says the LFB had almost 6,000 families or 17,000 individuals visit. That equates to about 9 per cent of Londoners coming to the food bank.

“This is a really difficult time, so this drive really helps,” said Roy.