[Report] Food Banks BC Hunger Report 2025

Executive Summary

Food insecurity is at a record high in British Columbia, with food bank usage soaring to unprecedented levels. This crisis is not a result of personal failure but of systemic issues: poverty and a frayed social safety net. Overwhelmed food banks can no longer compensate for these fundamental gaps.

BC Food banks have reached their capacity. Many food banks reported shortages of food and donations, forcing them to purchase more food, place limits on how much food they can distribute or change how often their clients can pick up food. Critically, rising food bank visits are a leading indicator of housing instability, signaling a growing risk of homelessness across the province.

Data from the HungerCount highlights who is using food banks and why client numbers continue to rise. Since 2019, the data shows not only substantial increases in the number of individuals and visits, but also a growing share of families and employed clients.

Key findings:

• 1.3 million or 24.4% of British Columbians are experiencing food insecurity.
• 79% increase in the number of visits to BC food banks since 2019.
• 9% annual increase in the proportion of racialized clients at BC food banks.
• 75% of people using BC food banks are renters.

Read the full report here