Daily Bread Food Bank, in partnership with North York Harvest Food Bank, released the Who’s Hungry 2024 Report, an annual profile of food insecurity and poverty in Toronto. From April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024, there were 3.49 million client visits to Toronto food banks, which is nearly 1 million more visits than the year prior and a 273% increase compared to pre-pandemic levels. According to the study, more than 1 in 10 Torontonians rely on food banks – even with food bank clients reporting higher employment rates and wages. The research found that 57% of food bank clients noted the cost of living as their main reason for accessing the food bank.
A key finding from the study, 57% of clients began accessing food banks in the last year. The research found that 80% of food bank clients are renters, 25% self-identified as having a disability, 58% are single individuals, 59% have post-secondary education or higher, 31% are students, 80% self-identified as racialized individuals, 69% are working age, and 23% are children or youth. The median income of individuals accessing the food bank was reported to be $1265, and an hourly median wage of $18 was reported. According to the study, the median expenses were found to be $1200 for rent and utilities, while 20% of clients indicated they are spending all of their income on housing.
The report stands as a call to action to help raise awareness, get involved, and advocate for change. Access the report to learn more, click here.