‘A tough one’: Brockville food bank reflects on rising visits, inflation in 2024

As 2024 moves into 2025, food banks across the province are continuing to face critical food shortages due to rising food prices. This is compounded by the prevalence of homelessness and food insecurity in countless communities across Ontario.

On a local scale, this harsh reality is no different for the Brockville and Area Food Bank. 

Amanda Petch, General Manager of the Brockville and Area Food Bank told Brockvilleist, ‘“2024 was a tough one. In 2023, we saw 19,240 visits to our food bank; in 2024, we saw 21,237. We saw an increase in attendance of about 10 per cent.”

According to Petch, one in 24 residents in the local area currently use the Brockville and Area Food Bank. “Our community donated over 6,000 lbs of food to our food bank, but the cost of food went up significantly. So, we have increased what we purchased, such as bread, eggs, milk, apples, oranges, bananas, onions, and potatoes.”

Aside from the crippling cost of food, Petch shared that the food bank’s biggest challenge in 2024 was keeping up with the increased number of new visitors. Many of these new visitors were not folks struggling with homelessness, but working individuals in the community who needed extra help for the food bank due to the chokehold of inflation.

“The cost of food increased so much that it made it harder for people to provide for their families. We haven’t faced any shortages yet but are worried about the future,” shared Petch. 

Moving into the new year, Petch is hopeful that the Brockville and Area Food Bank will be able to continue supporting the community, who need these types of services now more than ever. “We’re also looking for ways to reduce our food costs to be more stable in the face of rising inflation. Our biggest challenge will be finding the resources to do all that.”

For those who would like to support the Brockville and Area Food Bank, you can do so by donating your time as a volunteer or by donating money,  growing produce or dropping off canned goods at one of their collection boxes. For more details, visit https://www.brockvilleandareafoodbank.ca/donate/

Their top 10 most requested food items are: 

• Canned soups and stews
• Cheese Whiz
• Peanut Butter and Jam
• Canned Pasta
• Powdered Milk
• Pasta Sauce
• Canned Meats
• Cooking Oil
• Canned Vegetables
• Peanut-Free School Snacks and Drinks