Food insecurity in Canada is no longer hidden on the margins – it’s become a national crisis. Today, an estimated 15 per cent of Canadians are struggling to put food on the table. And that number is expected to rise in 2025.
In a country known for its agricultural abundance, how did we get here? What’s pushing more families, seniors, and even full-time workers to food banks? And most critically: what can be done – at every level of society – to ensure fair, dignified access to food?
These pressing questions were the focus of Impact Live - Necessities of life: Policy’s role in food security, part of Ivey’s Centre for Building Sustainable Value’s Future of Agri-food Event Series.
Moderated by Ivey Lecturer Jessica Kelly, HBA ’09, the session brought together three experts working on the front lines of this issue: Gregory Ridge (City Councillor, Kingston, ON), Meaghan Richardson (Director of Development, Food for Life), and Evan Fraser (Director, Arrell Food Institute, University of Guelph).
Together, they dismantled five widespread misconceptions about food insecurity and spotlighted both the promising solutions already in motion – and the actions policymakers, businesses, and communities must take to ensure equitable access to nutritious food.
1. Myth: If we reduce food waste, we can solve food insecurity
While food waste remains a significant challenge in Canada – with more than 40 per cent of food wasted at the household level – rescuing surplus food alone won’t resolve the deeper, structural drivers of food insecurity.
“We want to utilize food that’s out there as best we can,” said Fraser, “but at best that’s addressing a symptom. It’s not addressing a long-term cause.”
The reality: it’s not that there isn’t enough food, it’s that too many people can’t afford it. As Richardson put it, “Food insecurity isn’t about food – it’s about income.” All three panelists agreed: to make meaningful, lasting progress on food security, Canada must prioritize policy reform that tackles low wages, insufficient social assistance, and the deepening housing crisis.
2. Myth: Poverty is visible and obvious
A widespread misconception is that food insecurity affects only the visibly impoverished, such as the unhoused. In reality, it crosses socioeconomic lines and often goes unseen.
“People have a very defined idea of what poverty is,” said Ridge. “But many don't see it because it happens behind closed doors.”
Because stigma associated with food insecurity often keeps people from seeking help, panelists urged policymakers to design services that prioritize dignity and accessibility. Ridge pointed to Kingston’s planned “social market” – a cashless store where people can shop freely – as a powerful example of reducing shame and encouraging early support. Reaching people sooner, they noted, is also critical to helping them quickly regain stability.
3. Myth: The help is there – people just aren’t using it
While support services exist, they’re often difficult to navigate. Many require tax filing, internet access, and complex paperwork – barriers that disproportionately impact racialized people, Indigenous communities, and newcomers.
Fraser noted that “a huge amount of welfare is administered through the tax code,” but those who need it most often can’t access it.
To improve equity, panelists called for simpler, more accessible systems. Fraser also emphasized the need to invest in wraparound services – like food banks offering tax help and digital literacy training – to bridge systemic gaps and empower individuals.
4. Myth: Food banks are only a short-term fix
Originally created in the 1980s as a short-term fix, food banks have become a permanent fixture in Canada’s social landscape. Today, an estimated 15 per cent of Canadians rely on them for regular support – and the system is straining under the weight of that demand.
Meaghan Richardson sees this pressure firsthand in her work at Food for Life. “At our location, we used to support 3,200 households, maybe three years ago,” she said. “Now we're up to 4,500 households each and every week, and that is not slowing down.”
As need continues to grow, panelists urged governments to recognize food banks as a core part of Canada’s social safety net – and to fund them as such. But they also emphasized that charitable food support is only part of the picture. Long-term solutions, they argued, must include upstream investments in initiatives like affordable housing, guaranteed basic income, and childcare.
5. Myth: Donations alone can solve food insecurity
While corporate food drives remain a vital part of food bank operations, they’re no replacement for lasting, systemic change. Since income is at the core of food insecurity, panelists urged business leaders to look inward – starting with wages.
“Look at your own companies,” said Richardson. “Make sure you’re not inadvertently creating a situation where your staff need to rely on food supports.”
Charity can’t take the place of fair wages. That’s why panelists called on employers to adopt living wage policies, support DEI initiatives, and invest in local food systems.
And beyond the boardroom, individuals have a role to play, too. As both Ridge and Fraser noted, individuals can also push for change by voting and asking political candidates: What’s your plan for food security in Canada?
Looking for more perspective? Catch the full Necessities of life panel on Ivey Impact or Ivey’s YouTube channel for extended insights from the experts.
