Local food bank demand increases
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 09/02/2025 (221 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Brandon food banks serve over 2,000 people every month, reflecting a growing crisis across Manitoba and Canada.
The need for food assistance in Brandon has increased dramatically in recent years, mirroring trends seen nationwide, Harvest Manitoba president Vince Barletta told the Sun.
“In Manitoba, over 50,000 people rely on food banks every month, and over 2,000 of them are right here in Brandon,” he said in an interview.
Harvest Manitoba president Vince Barletta says over 50,000 people rely on food banks every month in Manitoba, and over 2,000 of them are right here in Brandon (File)
“Food bank demand in Manitoba has gone up by 150 per cent since 2020, and the reality is it’s much the same all across the country.”
He added two million Canadians visit a food bank somewhere across our country every month.
The rise in food bank use is not limited to urban centres like Brandon and Winnipeg. Barletta said the crisis extends to rural communities, northern Manitoba and First Nations.
Vulnerable groups, including seniors, people with disabilities, single parents, and even individuals with full-time jobs, he added, are increasingly turning to food banks as the cost of living rises.
“The numbers continue to grow,” Barletta said. “We need to take action to reverse this trend and continue to support those in need through food banks. With the support of people in Brandon and across our province, we will keep working to meet this growing demand.”
He explained the increase in the province highlights the severity of the lack of access to adequate nutritious food in the province. This trend is consistent with national figures, where food bank demand has doubled in just four years.
Manitoba’s “food insecurity” rate is slightly above the national average, underscoring the need to address poverty, he added
While organizations like Harvest Manitoba, its local partner Samaritan House Ministries, and others continue to provide vital support through food and meal programs, Barletta stressed the need for broader systemic solutions to combat hunger.
“We’re happy to do the work, but we need to do better to ensure poverty moves in the right direction,” he said.
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