Saint-Roch Food Bank Faces Overwhelming Demand, Halts New Memberships

Saint-Roch Food Bank Faces Overwhelming Demand, Halts New Memberships

Dimitris Ilias-LJI Journalist

Increasing numbers at a Montreal food bank reveal broader issues of food insecurity, say advocates, calling food banks a temporary fix that avoids addressing the root causes, according to Food Secure Canada.

The Cuisines et vie collectives Saint-Roch food bank, which typically supports about 180 families weekly, has recently seen its lines grow significantly, with demand outpacing supply.

The food bank had to call police for crowd control during a distribution event last month and has since stopped providing additional food to non-registered individuals, also pausing new memberships for two months.

Despite Quebec’s $30 million funding boost to provincial food banks, experts argue this does not tackle the underlying problem of increasing food insecurity among Canadians, emphasizing that food banks serve more as a temporary measure rather than a solution to poverty and food access issues.

Gloria Fernandez, director of Cuisines et vie collectives Saint-Roch, highlighted that food banks only offer a short-term relief without addressing poverty, the root cause of food insecurity. She pointed out the struggles faced by new immigrants and low-income families in accessing sufficient food.

Food Banks Quebec reported a significant rise in demand, with a monthly average of 2.6 million requests in 2023 and food banks frequently running out of supplies.

Wade Thorhaug, executive director at Food Secure Canada, criticized the reliance on food banks as a failure of public policy, suggesting they should not exist and that they allow politicians to avoid dealing with deeper socioeconomic issues.

Valerie Tarasuk, a food insecurity researcher, echoed these sentiments, stating that Quebec’s financial commitment to food banks does not address the root causes of food insecurity and could perpetuate a system that fails to reduce demand for food aid. Tarasuk stressed the importance of strengthening income supports to help those living on limited incomes manage the rising costs of living.

The Cuisines et vie collectives are a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for individuals and families in the Parc-Extension neighborhood. Their goal is to foster a strong support network through various initiatives focused on food security and independence. These initiatives include collective kitchens, workshops, classes, food distribution, training, and social activities. Their aim is to empower community members, ensuring they have access to the resources and knowledge needed for a sustainable and fulfilling life.

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