Toronto 
Daily Bread Food Bank and North York Harvest Food Bank have jointly published their annual Who’s Hungry report, revealing a concerning reality of food insecurity in Toronto.
Credit: Daily Bread Food Bank
The report indicates that a staggering one in ten Torontonians now rely on food banks, marking a troubling rise compared to the previous year.
Here are the key findings and recommendations from the report:
- In the past year, there were 2.53 million client visits to Toronto food banks, a staggering 51% increase compared to the previous year.
- If this trend continues, Toronto could witness over three million food bank visits by the end of 2023.
- Food bank visits have surged in every part of the city, outpacing population growth.
- Despite the opening of three new food banks, demand still far outweighs supply.
Who’s Hungry 2023 Report/Daily Bread Food Bank and North York Harvest Food Bank
- After covering rent and utilities, food bank clients are left with just $6.67 per person per day for all necessities, a significant drop from $8.01 last year.
- Over 120,000 new individuals turned to food bank services, a 154% increase compared to the previous year, with 52% of these newcomers having someone employed in their households.
- Food bank clients have a median monthly income of $1,131, less than half of the Official Poverty Line for Toronto ($2,302for a single person)
- Among food bank clients with disabilities, 61% rely on social assistance, leaving them at least $1,000 below the poverty line each month.
- A striking 23% of clients spend 100% of their income on housing, leaving no money for other essentials, making them highly vulnerable to homelessness.
Who’s Hungry 2023 Report/Daily Bread Food Bank and North York Harvest Food Bank
- Shockingly, nearly 31% of food bank clients went a whole day without eating, while 55% missed meals to prioritize other expenses.
- 59% of food bank clients have completed post-secondary education.
- 47% of food bank clients have at least one member of their household who is employed (7% increase compared to last year).
- Of those reporting employment ,nearly 3 in 4 (71%) had no medical, dental, retirement benefits or paid sick days through their employer.
- The majority of food bank clients in Toronto are renters, with a 57% year-over-year increase.
- Surprisingly, the fastest-growing group accessing food banks are those living in shelters/group homes. This is unexpected since food banks usually provide groceries for those with cooking facilities.
- Despite an 11% rise in inflation since 2021, the median hourly wage ($16) and median weekly hours worked among food bank clients remained stagnant. Many rely on food banks due to income inadequacy.
Who’s Hungry 2023 Report/Daily Bread Food Bank and North York Harvest Food Bank
Food Bank Use Among Newcomers/International Students
Newcomers, particularly those with temporary status (e.g., students, visitors, work visa holders), accessing food banks in Canada have increased significantly from 10% in 2022 to 24% in 2023. Among new clients, 87% were born outside Canada, aligning with the country’s population growth driven by immigration, including over 600,000 non-permanent residents in 2022.
A report on international student food insecurity in September 2023 revealed a stark disparity between advertised and actual living costs. Applicants for temporary student visas are required to prove $10,000 for living expenses, but respondents reported spending an average of $1,517 per month, nearly double the government’s estimate.
Recommendations
Daily Bread Food Bank and North York Harvest Food Bank recommend that:
- the Canadian Government create and implement an accessible Canada Disability Benefit by 2025;
- the Ontario Government should aim to build at least 300,000 affordable and supportive homes in the next decade, with 50,000 in Toronto;
- and the City of Toronto should ensure its Poverty Reduction Strategy Action Plan includes funded measures to prevent food insecurity and bolster community food programs.
To support the release of this report, and to raise awareness about food insecurity, the CN Tower in Toronto and Toronto sign at Nathan Phillips Square will be lit up in Daily Bread’s colours of yellow and green on November 14, 2023.
