When considering communities experiencing food insecurity, Ontario’s Regional Municipality of York may not immediately come to mind. However, while some of the cities and towns in York Region may be considered prosperous, small pockets of rising affluence are concealing areas of deepening poverty. In a study conducted in 2015, 169,000 residents in York Region were living on a low income.

169,000+

Residents in York Region are living on low income (2016 Census Report)

22,700+

Residents used a food access program in our network in 2021

30%

of people who access food programs or food aid are children

Why Food Banks?

Over the last few decades, Canada has seen significant changes in its economic landscape. Though the economy has grown, hundreds of thousands of jobs such as those found in the manufacturing and natural resource sectors, have been lost – only to be replaced by low-paying work, often in the service sector. As a result, for a growing percentage of Canadians not able to earn enough income to meet their basic needs, food banks are critical to helping to bridge the gap.