Food Banks Canada released its poverty report card for 2026, and while the grade did improve as it moved from a D to a D+, advocates say there’s still more work to do.
Social programs such as the new Groceries and Essentials Benefit and enhancements to Canada’s Child Benefit, as well as the recent reduction of gas taxes, have all contributed to the increase in the grade on the report card.
But food insecurity remains at all-time highs across the country — with one in four people experiencing food insecurity, solidifying its place as a crisis and scoring the grade of F on the report card.
Kim Wilhelm, CEO, The Food Bank of Waterloo Region, believes that while support from the government has helped ease food insecurity issues, more still needs to be done.
Here in Waterloo Region, one in nine people is affected by food insecurity — with April 2026 seeing more than 60,000 visits to food banks and nearly 27,000 accessing the Food Banks Food Hamper program, continuing the upsetting trend of record-breaking visits to food banks.
That marks a 205 per cent increase in food bank usage compared to 2019. Wilhelm said some policy changes, like the Groceries and Essentials benefit, have helped but are not keeping pace with affordability.
With costs rising on so many essentials such as gas prices and grocery prices, coupled with unstable employment issues and inadequate income supports, it’s forcing an increasing number of Canadians to turn to food assistance programs as they’re forced to adapt to the rising cost of living.
Wilhelm was a guest on The Mike Farwell Show and said that until the affordability issues plaguing the country are addressed, the crisis of food insecurity will remain.
“Food banks were never intended to be the solution to poverty or food insecurity — they were intended to provide immediate support if and when people need it,” said Wilhelm.
“That’s why we must continue to advocate for public policies that reduce poverty, strengthen incomes, and improve affordability. We need both short-term support and long-term solutions if we really want to see fewer people needing food assistance,” she added.
Among the groups impacted most notably are children. Children make up one-third of people on food assistance programs despite being only one-fifth of the population. Here in the region, that means 26,000 kids are in food-insecure households.
Other groups hit hard by food insecurity are single-parent households, racialized communities, and younger people, as well as youth unemployment linked to food struggles for people aged 15 to 24.
While all levels of government are needed to step up to address food insecurity, Wilhelm said local support is always welcome. The Food Bank of Waterloo Region is currently running its Full Bellies, Happy Hearts campaign. That program seeks to ensure children and families have access to nutritious food all year round.
Donations are always accepted, be it funds, food, or time. Financial donations can be made at the Food Bank of Waterloo Region’s website.