Country Projects: Canada

Overview

Food Banks Canada is the national charitable organization that represents the food bank community across Canada.  Its membership, which includes 10 Provincial members and over 450 Affiliate Member food banks across the country, serves approximately 85 percent of people accessing emergency food programs nationwide.  The organization supports its members with resource development and allocation, training, and public awareness and education activities.

GFN’s Involvement

Food Banks Canada was a founding partner of GFN, and the network has a representative on the GFN Board of Directors.  We have provided funding to help develop the infrastructure for a number of food banks across the country, as well as scholarships for delegates from the national office, provincial associations and individual food banks to attend the H-E-B / GFN Food Bank Leadership Institute for the last three years.

Progress

Food Banks Canada and its members are working on strategies and programs to address the issues affecting food banking in Canada and increasing support to hungry Canadians.  These include the need for increased food, funding, and transportation services, engaging government on policy issues, improving food bank operating procedures, and broadening the role of food banks, i.e. providing other services such as education and training, counseling, and referrals.

The network has recognized the value of the data and knowledge base it possesses and sees the strength of these tools to advance the well-being of the people it ultimately represents.  The network’s annual HungerCount Report, combined with the educational opportunities created through National Hunger Awareness Day position the network to be an effective voice with government, the private sector, the media, and the public on addressing the issue of hunger in Canada.

Learn more about Food Banks Canada.