Food bank usage in Mississauga breaks record, growing at the fastest rate in Ontario

Mississauga residents are requiring more and more support to help feed their families.

With a record-breaking 421,251 visits to Food Banks Mississauga and their network of over 60 agencies last year, the shocking numbers show the fastest food bank usage in all of Ontario.

According to the recent Impact Report released by Food Banks Mississauga, eight percent of the city’s population, or one in 13 residents, use a food bank.

Of that number, 28 percent are children.

“Food banks were meant to be a temporary emergency support, not a replacement for government social assistance programs,” says Meghan Nicholls, CEO of Food Banks Mississauga. “But almost 40 years later, we must show that we are in a food insecurity crisis because government programs are underfunded and haven’t kept up with the rising cost of living.

There has been an almost 80 percent year-over-year (June 23 to May 24) increase in food bank usage.

“People shouldn’t have to choose between paying rent, feeding themselves, or feeding their families,” continued Nicholls. “With the fastest-growing rate of food bank use in the province, our network’s capacity is maxing out. It’s only thanks to our community’s support and generosity that we can continue providing food to our neighbours today while advocating for policy change for tomorrow.”

Over 56,267 people were provided “healthy and appropriate food. A 58 percent increase from last year and higher than the provincial increase of 25 percent.

The number of children relying on help from the food bank grew to almost 16,000. That’s an increase of 42 percent.

The Impact Report also shows that over nine million pounds of food was distributed, an increase of 55 percent from the previous year.

“These numbers reflect the ever-growing food insecurity crisis,” said the local food bank.

The report also highlights how the community stepped up its support to help run programs and get the word out that more help is needed from governments to take on food insecurity.

For the complete report, visit foodbanksmississauga.ca/annual-impact-report.