Food Banks Canada
Encyclopedia
Food Banks Canada is a member organization of food
banks in Canada. Founded in 1987, Food Banks Canada’s membership is made up of 10 Provincial Associations and around 450 local food banks. The organization’s mission is to “enable an effective food bank community that addresses the short term need for food and longer term solutions to reduce hunger in Canada”. It operates a number of programs such as the National Hunger Awareness Day, HungerCount, a research report on food bank use in Canada, and a Safe Food Handling program for food banks.
In 2008, the Canadian Association of Food Banks changed its name to "Food Banks Canada".
There are now over 700 food banks and 3,000 food programs available in Canada.
In 2008, HungerCount reported that on average, 704,414 individuals used a food bank per month. Other HungerCount 2008 numbers include:
Food
Food is any substance consumed to provide nutritional support for the body. It is usually of plant or animal origin, and contains essential nutrients, such as carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, or minerals...
banks in Canada. Founded in 1987, Food Banks Canada’s membership is made up of 10 Provincial Associations and around 450 local food banks. The organization’s mission is to “enable an effective food bank community that addresses the short term need for food and longer term solutions to reduce hunger in Canada”. It operates a number of programs such as the National Hunger Awareness Day, HungerCount, a research report on food bank use in Canada, and a Safe Food Handling program for food banks.
In 2008, the Canadian Association of Food Banks changed its name to "Food Banks Canada".
History
The first food bank in Canada opened its doors in 1981 in the city of Edmonton, Alberta. In 1987, the Canadian food bank community created the Canadian Association of Food Banks to represent food banks nationally.There are now over 700 food banks and 3,000 food programs available in Canada.
In 2008, HungerCount reported that on average, 704,414 individuals used a food bank per month. Other HungerCount 2008 numbers include:
- 37% of those assisted are children under the age of 18
- 50% of assisted households have at least one child
- For 20% of assisted households, primary source of income is current or recent employment
- Approximately 13% are receiving provincial disability income support
- 50% are receiving social assistance
- In March 2008, food banks served 3,091,777 meals
- In March 2008, volunteers gave 440,000 hours of their time to assist food banks
Activities
Some of Food Banks Canada's activities include food distribution through the National Food Sharing System, the annual HungerCount research report on national and provincial food bank use in Canada, and National Hunger Awareness Day, held in June to promote the work of food banks and the individuals using their services.Members
Food Banks Canada’s membership includes 10 Provincial Associations (Members) and 450 local food banks (Affiliate Members). The 10 Members are:- Food Banks British ColumbiaBritish ColumbiaBritish Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
- AlbertaAlbertaAlberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
Food Banks - Food Banks of Saskatchewan Corporation
- Manitoba Association of Food Banks
- OntarioOntarioOntario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
Association of Food Banks (OAFB) - Banques Alimentaires QuébecQuebecQuebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
- New Brunswick Association of Food Banks (NBAFB)
- FEED NOVA SCOTIA
- P.E.I. Association of Food Banks
- Community Food Sharing Association of Newfoundland & Labrador