Food Banks of Quebec (FBQ) is deeply concerned by the continued rise in demand, as revealed in the 2025 Hunger Count report. The findings confirm that food insecurity in Quebec is not abating; in fact, it is worsening. For the first time, the FBQ network is responding to more than three million food assistance requests per month, a figure that reflects persistent and growing pressure on the network.
The 2025 Hunger Count report highlights a deeply troubling situation :
- The number of monthly food assistance requests has exceeded the three million mark, representing a 6,6% increase from last year and a 37% increase since 2022.
- Monthly visits to food banks across the network, which represent the total number of people assisted through all services, have reached one million, a 49% increase since 2022.
- Every month, 600,000 unique individuals receive support from the FBQ network, a 7.6% hike over the last year.
- Food shortages once again posed a challenge for many organizations in the network this year, despite support from the government, partners, and the public, which helped increase food distribution.
The Strain Continues — and Worsens
This past January, an economic study conducted by Aviseo for Food Banks of Quebec highlighted a worrying trend: a projected, ongoing increase in demand for food assistance over the coming years. Unfortunately, the figures revealed in the current Hunger Count report have already exceeded those projections—a clear sign that food insecurity is becoming a lasting issue and that the need for assistance is here to stay. We cannot accept that food insecurity continues to reach new heights. Urgent structural action is needed to fight poverty and curb this growing trend.
Pressure continues to mount across the entire network. Meeting growing demand also requires more human, financial, and material resources.
« The Hunger Count confirms that food insecurity is affecting a growing number of people, despite the apparent stabilization of some economic indicators. With demand continuing to rise (and further increases expected), capacity challenges are already looming. It’s not just food that’s in short supply, but also the human and material resources needed to meet this level of demand. »
Martin Munger, Executive Director of Food Banks of Quebec .
The $25.5 million in government support provided this year for food purchases has been essential in addressing on-the-ground shortages and boosting the FBQ network. However, it’s worth noting that this forms part of a much broader effort led by FBQ network, which — thanks to its own initiatives and the mobilization of its partners and donors — distributed over $346 million worth of food. This contrast underscores the scale of the response the network must deliver each month, in a context where demand continues to grow and resources remain limited.