Wilson: Ottawa must properly fund food banks and anti-poverty measures

Food insecurity in Ottawa has reached a crisis point. Every day, families across our city struggle to put food on the table — an essential human right that many are denied. We, the Ottawa Food Bank and a network of 71 member agencies and 98 food programs, witness this heartbreaking reality firsthand, and we can no longer stand by as the need for food assistance outpaces our capacity to deliver it.

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We are calling on the City of Ottawa to take immediate action to address the escalating food insecurity crisis in our city.

The City of Ottawa recognized food security as a priority in its Poverty Reduction Strategy. While this is a positive step, without meaningful financial investment in the upcoming budget, this strategy will fail to make a real impact on the ground. The consequences will be devastating, not only for the thousands of residents already struggling with severe food insecurity but also for the broader health and stability of our community.

In 2024, almost 40 per cent of Ottawa’s food banks reported turning people away due to capacity issues. This stems directly from inadequate funding, and the situation is worsening. Severe food insecurity, which now affects 61 per cent of food bank clients, is more than double the levels we saw just a few years ago. The numbers are stark, but behind them are real people: parents skipping meals so their children can eat, individuals choosing between groceries and rent, and seniors facing the impossible decision of buying medication or food.

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Food insecurity is not just about hunger; it’s about dignity, equity and the future of our city. The inability to access nutritious food impacts physical and mental health, limits educational outcomes for children, and drives the cycle of poverty that keeps people marginalized.

Food banks do incredible work to fill the gaps, but we are not the solution to poverty. We are a lifeline, offering short-term relief where long-term, systemic solutions are needed.

We urge the City of Ottawa to prioritize food security by fully funding the Poverty Reduction Strategy in the upcoming budget.

The City of Ottawa cannot leave this burden on the shoulders of food banks and community organizations alone. For too long, our programs have been propped up by the generosity of the public: Ninety-eight per cent of food bank funding comes from community donations, while the city contributes less than two per cent. We receive no funding from any other level of government. This imbalance is unsustainable. We are at a breaking point, and the city must step up as a true partner in the fight against food insecurity.

Supporting food security isn’t just the right thing to do; it’s also a smart investment in our city’s future. Food assistance helps prevent homelessness; reduces pressure on the health-care system; and allows families to maintain stability in the face of financial hardship. If we want a healthier, more vibrant Ottawa, we must ensure that everyone has access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food.

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We urge the City of Ottawa to prioritize food security by fully funding the Poverty Reduction Strategy in the upcoming budget. If the city fails to act, we will continue to see more people in crisis, more homelessness, more families struggling and more pressure on an already overburdened system.

As organizations on the front lines of this crisis, we are committed to our mission of ensuring all residents have access to the food they need to live healthy, dignified lives. But we cannot do it alone. We call on the City of Ottawa to recognize its role in this effort and take bold action now — before it’s too late.

Rachael Wilson is the Chief Executive Officer of the Ottawa Food Bank.
The Ottawa Food Bank is the main emergency food provider in the National Capital Region and has been serving the community since 1984. It works in partnership with a network of 71 member agencies and 98 food programs that include community food banks, food cupboards, meal programs, multi-service programs, kids’ summer nutrition programs, and after-school snack programs. More information: www.ottawafoodbank.ca.

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