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last mo.

Food Bank Visits Reach 2.17 Million in March as Alberta Reports Sharp 22% Annual Surge

The national hunger report urges federal action to address housing-driven pressures and reinforce the social safety net.

A new report from Food Banks Canada says a monthly average of 210,541 Albertans visited a food bank this year. That's a jump of 21.8 per cent compared to 2024 and the second largest increase in food bank use in the entire country.
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Overview

  • Food Banks Canada's 2025 Hunger Count shows monthly visits have nearly doubled since 2019.
  • Nationally, 2.166 million visits were recorded in March 2025, up 5% from March 2024.
  • Alberta averaged 210,541 visits per month in 2025, a 21.8% increase from 2024 and the second-largest rise after the territories.
  • Women made 51.4% of all visits, and in Alberta children under 18 accounted for 75,968 visits, more than one-third of the provincial total.
  • Report authors cite rising living costs—especially rent and housing—as the main driver and recommend bolstering income supports, investing in affordable housing, creating a groceries and essentials benefit, and adjusting tax measures for Northern and Indigenous communities.