Ottawa, Ontario – An increasing number of Canadians have been facing challenges in putting food on their tables due to COVID-19. As a result, food banks and food security organizations have experienced increased pressures such as higher demands and fewer resources. With the holidays approaching, these organizations need our support more than ever to help feed families and keep Canadians healthy and safe.
The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, announced details about the additional $100 million in funding that is being provided to these organizations under the Emergency Food Security Fund. This funding was announced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on October 9, 2020, bringing total funding under the Emergency Food Security Fund to $200 million. The new funding will provide $18.5 million to Food Banks Canada, $18.5 million to Breakfast Club of Canada, $8.9 million to Second Harvest, $8.9 million to Community Food Centres Canada, $8.85 million to the Salvation Army, and $1.34 million to La Tablée des Chefs. A further $5 million will be allocated from reserve funds.
Minister Bibeau made the announcement, alongside Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller and Northern Affairs Minister Daniel Vandal, during a roundtable event with front-line volunteers and food security organization workers from across Canada. During the roundtable, the Ministers heard first-hand experiences of the essential work being done by volunteers and workers, who are faced with more demands and fewer resources. The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened food security concerns for many Canadians, particularly in northern and Indigenous communities. Local food organizations must adapt to new measures to safely deliver their services and are often strained to find adequate volunteers and staff.
Indigenous Services Canada will use $30 million of the new funding to bolster its Indigenous Community Support Fund, bringing this Fund’s total to $1.1 billion.
As Canadians enter a critical point in the pandemic, food banks, local food organizations, and Indigenous partners are using these funds to purchase and distribute food and other necessities in order to meet the urgent needs of Canadians. The funding has so far supported more than 3,200 local food organizations across Canada.
Source : Government of Canada