New report highlights growing need for food assistance

A new report from Canada's largest food rescue organization highlights the growing need for food assistance in the country. A northeastern Ontario food bank says transportation challenges and declining donations are making it harder to keep supplies on its shelves. (Screenshot from file)

Second Harvest, Canada’s largest food rescue organization, rescued and redistributed $564 million worth of surplus food across Canada in its 2026 fiscal year, supporting more than 7.2 million people.

But while more surplus food is being rescued, getting it into the hands of people who need it remains a challenge.

A recent survey by Ipsos for Second Harvest found nine in 10 food-support organizations experienced increased demand in the past year.

Of those, 89 per cent of organizations said they need more food.

“One in three, I think, are turning people away,” said Lori Nikkel, CEO of Second Harvest.

In northeastern Ontario, the Cochrane Regional Food Bank helps distribute food to smaller agencies and communities throughout the region.

But Ardis Proulx from the food bank said traditional food donations are becoming less reliable as more families struggle with the cost of groceries.

“People are not donating to food drives the way they used to, because they’re just trying to struggle and feed their own families,” said Proulx.

The regional food bank also faces transportation challenges.

“Specifically, when you’re going up the James Bay coast, you’re dealing with transportation on the rail,” she said.

“You’re dealing with transportation via air, helicopter, winter roads. So those are all challenges in themselves.”

Even along the Highway 11 corridor, Proulx said road closures can put food shipments at risk.

“You’re dealing with product having to possibly be stuck on the side of the highway for long durations, and then you might lose the product, which has happened to us,” she said.

With more agencies relying on the regional hub, supplies aren’t always keeping up with demand.

“What we’ve seen lately is, because we have so many agencies now that are utilizing our services, we often will have an empty warehouse,” said Proulx.

Second Harvest is also offering funding to eligible food charities and non-profits outside the food bank network.

“If you’re an organization that is struggling and you need some money, please apply to Second Harvest,” said Nikkel.

“If you’re not in the food bank network, there is funding that is available and the deadline is Nov. 30.”

Meanwhile, the Cochrane food bank is expecting an additional shipment from Mississauga, including 24 skids of food that Proulx expects will be distributed within two weeks.

Second Harvest said continued investment in food rescue, storage and transportation will be important to ensure more surplus food reaches the communities that need it.