Food Banks Canada recently released it’s report with some dramatic findings from the 2024 Hunger Count – an annual count of the number of people accessing food banks across the country.
“In March 2024, there were over 2 million visits to food banks in Canada — the highest number in history — representing a 6 per cent increase compared to 2023, and a 90 per cent increase compared to 2019. In addition, there are signs that the food-banking system is reaching its absolute limit.”
On Salt Spring Island, the hunger count numbers outpace the rest of the country with a 14% rise in numbers from 2023 (438 separate individuals) to 2024 (499 separate individuals) and a 126% increase since 2019 (221 separate individuals). Salt Spring statistics mirror the rest of the country in showing that approximately 1/3 of the individuals are children.
Local Hunger Count numbers, however, show only a partial picture since there is a significant amount of food program service delivery through means other than traditional food bank visits.
Meal programs, school programs, community fridges, Farmers Market Coupons and a range of other food distribution methods integrated into the services of Island Community Services mean that the Hunger Count numbers far under-represent the extent of the deficit in nutritional funding for local families. The Holiday Hamper program has steadily grown over the years as well with a 9% increase from 2023 to 2024.
Policy recommendations from the Food Banks Canada report address a range of measures from solving the affordable housing crisis, to specific supports for low income households. Many are as relevant on Salt Spring Island and the Southern Gulf Islands as anywhere.
As the report points out, food bank systems were never designed to carry this level of volume. Even with alternative distribution systems for food programs, escalation in the affordability crisis will continue to put added pressure on lower income households. Interventions are required to adjust purchasing power – either with the provision of affordable options,or in income adjustment.
