Food Banks Canada recently published their Hunger Count report, which reveals a significant 90 percent increase in nationwide food bank usage from 2019 to 2024.
The Hunger Count report combines data from all territories, revealing that single people make up over 50 percent of territorial food bank users, with the 45-64 age group being the most served. Additionally, 40 percent of food bank users across the territories live in market rental housing.
Building on the insights from the Hunger Count report, it’s clear that food insecurity is a growing concern in the Yukon. This trend is further evidenced by local data from the Food Bank Society of Yukon, which highlights a steady increase in the distribution of hampers over the past several years.
David Blottner, executive director of the Food Bank Society of the Yukon, revealed that throughout 2023-24 the food bank had served 21,729 people across the territory which equates to 456,309 meals being dished out for the year.
He noted that while they don’t track detailed demographics, their observations align with the Hunger Count report, emphasizing efforts to minimize the time burden on users by maintaining low barriers to access.
“If we take a look back to 2018, we only had 9,000 visits over the entire year, or 189,000 meals. The scale of food insecurity that has increased in those last five years, it's been crazy,” Blottner said.
Blottner added that increased demand has affected the food bank’s ability to consistently deliver food parcels to Yukon communities outside Whitehorse. Rising freight and food costs have made it challenging to meet this demand, he went on to say.
The Food Bank Society of the Yukon currently serves Carmacks, Watson Lake, Faro, Atlin and Whitehorse. Part of their work involves helping local communities set up systems to ensure the food bank reaches those in need, Blottner said.
The non-profit receives partial financial support from Food Banks Canada, but it primarily relies on the generosity of private and corporate donors.
“We are lucky that we live in the most generous place in the country, and that so far, our community has never put us in a position where we have to say no to someone or turn someone away at the door,” Blottner said.
The community’s engagement is vividly demonstrated by over 11 schools from across Whitehorse mobilizing their students to assist with food drives, Blottner recounted.
Despite a heavy snowstorm and hail on food drive night, students remained undeterred, collecting and delivering food with smiles on their faces, he said. Volunteers continued to help sort and package the food for distribution to those in need, showcasing the community’s support toward helping others.
“Even yesterday, as the snow started falling and our warehouse was at capacity and we were worried about food getting out; our good friends at Overland Freight, they bent over backwards in order to make sure that our Haines Junction order could get out the door,” Blottner said.
Contact Jake Howarth at jake.howarth@yukon-news.com
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