Food charities expect to add more programs in 2023 amid high demand: Second Harvest

Food rescue organization Second Harvest expects the need for food charity to grow in 2023.

In its new report, Canada Needs a New Year’s Resolution for Food Insecurity, the organization found that non-profit food programs (NFPs) forecast the number of people they serve to grow by 60% this year.

The survey measured 1,300 organizations in the charitable food sector, which includes food banks, faith-based organizations, schools and community groups. 

NFPs anticipate adding 30% more food programs in the coming year, the report said. 

Nearly half (44%) of the organizations surveyed said they’ll need 50% or more non-perishable food to meet the demand, while 39% anticipate they’ll need 50% or more perishable food. 

A majority (70%) said they need both food and funding, while 21% said they need more funding only and 9% said they only need more food. 

Not-for-profits that completed the survey anticipated a total budget shortfall of $94 million to meet next year’s demand – an average of $70K per organization.

"It is a new year, but there is no resolution in sight for Canada's food insecurity problem," said Lori Nikkel, CEO of Second Harvest, in a statement. "The end of Covid supports, food inflation and flat wages are all contributing to increased reliance on food charity.  Without systemic change, food insecurity will only get worse in Canada."