‘We want to be out of business’ : Brockville declares local food insecurity an emergency
At their meeting on Tuesday, June 24, Brockville City Council unanimously voted to declare food insecurity an emergency in the city, joining a growing number of municipalities sounding the alarm over rising hunger in their communities.
Amanda Petch, General Manager of the Brockville and Area Food Bank, delivered a sobering delegation to council, outlining how the crisis has spiralled over the past few years. The food bank, which serves the communities of Brockville, Lyn, Mallorytown and North Augusta, recorded more than 21,500 visits in 2024, including over 5,500 visits on behalf of children.
“We are on track to see more visits this year than the entire population of Brockville,” said Petch. “We’ve gone from serving one in 24 people to now serving one in 13. And the crisis is only getting worse.”
The food bank’s data shows that 27 per cent of clients are children, and the summer months place even more strain on the system when students lose access to school meal programs.
“There were 65 families who came in just today,” Petz told council. “People are lining up for help, and only about 150 people return in the same month—meaning most are coming once, because the need is that immediate.”
Louise Huneault, a board member with the food bank, said the goal isn’t to grow their services—it’s to put themselves out of business.
“Food banks were never meant to be the solution to food insecurity,” Huneault said. “We want to be out of business, and passing a motion like this helps us take a step toward that reality by calling for systemic change.”
The motion, which was unanimously passed by council, calls on both the federal and provincial governments to address the root causes of food insecurity, including low income levels, unaffordable housing, and rising food costs. It also urges the expansion of existing school food programs and the establishment of a province-wide universal school food program.
Council members expressed strong support for the motion, acknowledging the dire urgency of the situation.
“It’s not just about those who are unhoused,” said Councillor Jeff Severson. “Hunger, especially in children, is much more invisible. It’s about the affordability of living in this country.”
Councillor Cameron Wales, who introduced the motion, emphasized that the word emergency may seem strong to some, but is very real for those facing it.
“For the families who are forced to choose between rent and groceries, this is an emergency,” said Wales. “And this motion isn’t about supporting food banks—it’s about pushing for solutions so food banks don’t have to exist.”
The food bank currently operates entirely on local donations, grants, and the efforts of just two staff and 65 volunteers and more resources are always needed. Councillor Jane Fullarton pointed out the resilience and generosity of Brockville’s community, suggesting new initiatives like “adopt-a-family” programs could be explored for additional support.
Petch welcomed the idea and emphasized that while more community support is crucial, the issue cannot be solved at the municipal level alone.
“The need is growing, and we are doing everything we can,” she urged. “But without provincial and federal action, we will always be struggling to keep up.”
Now with council’s support backing it, the city’s motion will be sent to senior levels of government, including Prime Minister Mark Carney, Ontario Premier Doug Ford, local MP Michael Barrett, MPP Steve Clark, and other key municipal and school board associations.