Today, the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, announced a $30-million top-up for the Emergency Food Security Fund, bringing total funding under the Fund to $330 million. This additional investment is aimed at addressing the increased demand and fewer resources faced by food banks and local food organizations, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Food insecurity rates increased over the pandemic, with one in seven Canadian households who have experienced food insecurity over a one-month period during the pandemic.

Funding will be divided between Food Banks Canada, Second Harvest, Breakfast Club of Canada, Community Food Centres Canada, The Salvation Army, and La Tablée des Chefs, who in turn will continue their work to distribute it to thousands of local food organizations across Canada. 

“On behalf of The Salvation Army and the more than 3 million Canadians that we’ve served throughout COVID-19, I would like to thank the Government of Canada and the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, for their ongoing support and investment in food and food security for those who continue to struggle as a result of the pandemic," says Lt-Colonel John P. Murray, secretary for communications. "The Salvation Army is grateful to our many partners who have worked together in meeting the needs of Canadians during this most challenging time, and we thank them for their spirit of unity and purpose in mission. We’re stronger together.”

Read the full news release at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.