The relationship between food banks and household food insecurity among low-income Toronto families

Abstract: In the absence of targeted public policy to address household food insecurity in Canada, food banks remain the dominant response, despite questions about their effectiveness. Interviews with 371 low-income Toronto families revealed that 75 percent had experienced some food insecurity, but only 23 percent had used a food bank; for most food bank users, food insecurity was a severe and chronic problem. Food-insecure families' reasons for not using food banks indicated resistance and, in some instances, access barriers. These results draw into question the apparent reliance of federal and provincial/territorial governments on food charity to alleviate food insecurity and highlight the need for a public policy response.

Publication Date: 
2012
Location: 
Toronto, Ontario, Canada