The federal government is providing an additional $100 million to food banks and local food organizations to help them meet the spike in demand for their services caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Oct. 9.
The government will provide the funding through the Emergency Food Security Fund to national and regional organizations, who will then support food banks and local food organizations to alleviate food insecurity for those in need.
“Food banks and local food organizations have been there for Canadians who need them most, and we will continue supporting them,” Trudeau said in a release.
During the height of the first wave back in April, the federal government gave $100 million to national, regional and local organizations that work to alleviate food insecurity, including Food Banks Canada, the Salvation Army, and Community Food Centres Canada.
In addition to the funding, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Marie-Claude Bibeau said Ottawa has also invested $50 million to redirect surplus food from the Agri-food sector, and $25 million in Nutrition North to help vulnerable Canadians access food.
Bibeau urged Canadians to help those facing food insecurity.
“To all Canadians who are fortunate enough to have quality food on your kitchen tables this Thanksgiving weekend, I ask that you consider how you can support your local food organizations to help those who might not be in the same position right now,” she said.
With files from The Canadian Press
