A recent report by Food Banks BC reveals that hunger in British Columbia has reached a distressing peak, with a staggering 24.4% of residents facing food insecurity. The surge in demand for food bank services, which has spiked by 79% since 2019, paints a grim picture of the challenges many British Columbians are currently facing.
The report emphasizes that the root of this crisis lies not in personal shortcomings but in systemic issues such as poverty and a frayed social safety net. Executive Director Dan Huang-Taylor denounces the normalization of hunger in the province, stressing that it is unacceptable for anyone to go without food.
Shocking statistics from the report show that in just one month, 33,000 children relied on food banks in B.C., making up 31% of all clients. The situation is dire, with over 1 million visits to B.C. food banks recorded in the first half of 2025, including 33,961 first-time visitors. Some food banks have been forced to purchase food or reduce portions due to overwhelming demand, with 11% even having to turn people away due to food shortages.
The report highlights that adults in the Northern and Interior regions of the province are disproportionately reliant on food banks, while those serving predominantly racialized and Indigenous clients are facing severe capacity challenges.
In collaboration with organizations like the BC Poverty Reduction Coalition and Living Wage BC, Food Banks BC has put forward four key recommendations to the provincial government. These include enhancing local food systems, boosting household incomes through living wage policies, supporting Indigenous food sovereignty, and advocating for improvements to federal benefits like the Canada Child Benefit.
The report underscores that addressing food insecurity is not only a moral imperative but also an economic necessity, as investing in poverty alleviation leads to a stronger economy and a healthier province for all residents.