Ottawa Food Bank cutting food by 20-50 per cent to its agencies in 2025

The Ottawa Food Bank is appealing for help this Thanksgiving, with food donations down 30 per cent. Ottawa, On.. Oct. 6, 2023. (Tyler Fleming / CTV News).

The Ottawa Food Bank is cutting food donations to 98 food programs across the city by up to 50 per cent this year, as it deals with rising costs for food and an "all-time high" demand from the public.

In a statement, Ottawa Food Bank CEO Rachael Wilson says its programs will be receiving "20-50 per cent less food than they have in years past" in 2025.

"The Ottawa Food Bank is not immune to these economic pressures," Wilson said in a statement.

"Our ability to purchase high volumes of food to meet increased demand has been severely impacted. Despite the continued generosity of our community, rising costs mean we cannot purchase the same amount of food as before."

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The Ottawa Food Bank has seen visits increase by more than 90 per cent since 2019. The Ottawa Hunger Report 2024 showed there were 556,000 visits to the food bank and its associated agencies in 2023.

In October, the food bank saw a record 50,000 visits.

"We are seeing more people turning to a food bank and needing more food than our sector can provide," Wilson said, adding 40 per cent of food banks turned people away on a weekly basis due to capacity.

"After a bountiful holiday season that mirrored a year of generosity from our donors, we could not be more appreciative of the community that continues to support us," Wilson said.

"This decision, however, is not due to a lack of donations or community support. This is the result of governments that have neglected food insecurity and amplified a systemic issue."

In November, the food bank issued a "declaration of emergency" about the number of people turning to the organization to put food on the table.

Wilson says 1.4 per cent of its budget is funded by the City of Ottawa, with donations used to purchase and deliver food.

The Ottawa Food Bank is renewing its call for government support, including having the City of Ottawa declare food insecurity a crisis and fully funding Ottawa's new Poverty Reduction Strategy approved last year.

Residents are asked to visit the Ottawa Food Bank's website to fill out a form that will be automatically emailed to Mayor Mark Sutcliffe and councillors.

"To the agencies in the Ottawa Food Bank network, we know this is challenging," Wilson said.

"We will continue to ensure that agencies receive the best support we can offer, and to fight for a future where food insecurity is eliminated, fridges are full across the city, and our neighbours are thriving."

The Ottawa Food Bank's network of agencies includes the AIDS Committee of Ottawa, Algonquin Students' Association food Cupboard, BGC Ottawa, Bruce House, Caldwell Family Centre, Carleton University Food Centre, Belong Ottawa, Centretown Community Food Centre, Debra Dynes Family house, Harmony House, Lowertown Community House, Ottawa Mission, Parkdale Food Centre, and the Salvation Army.