2026 Community Impact report reveals record food hamper visits as food insecurity becomes more entrenched in Waterloo region

Waterloo Region, Ont., November 12, 2026 – The Food Bank of Waterloo Region released its 2026 Community Impact report today, revealing that visits to food hamper programs reached a record 670,751 between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026. While fewer people accessed food assistance overall, many households relied on support more frequently and for longer periods, signalling that food insecurity is becoming increasingly entrenched across Waterloo region.

The report, which compiles data from the 65 organizations within the Community Food Assistance Network, shows that 66,945 individuals accessed food assistance during the year, an eight per cent decrease from the previous year. However, of the 24,984 households accessing support, more than 7,600 households visited a hamper program more than eight times, an eight per cent increase. Food insecurity continued to affect households across the region, including 27,165 children, a four per cent increase; 7,307 families, up five per cent; and 2,692 older adults, up 17 per cent.

“The decline in the number of people accessing food assistance is encouraging, but it doesn’t tell the whole story,” says Kim Wilhelm, CEO at The Food Bank of Waterloo Region. “More households are returning month after month because they simply cannot make ends meet. Food insecurity continues to affect thousands of children, families, and older adults across our community as the cost of living outpaces incomes.”

As households continued to rely on food assistance, The Food Bank and its Community Food Assistance Network partners worked to meet unprecedented demand. Between July 2025 and June 2026, a record 10.5 million pounds of fresh, frozen, and non-perishable food was distributed across the region’s three cities and townships, a nine per cent increase over the previous year, helping ensure people could access food and support close to home.

“For many households, food insecurity is no longer a temporary challenge,” Wilhelm adds. “Rising housing costs, food prices, transportation expenses, and incomes that haven’t kept pace with the cost of living are making it difficult for people to regain financial stability. When families need to return for food assistance month after month, it’s a sign that the underlying issue has not been resolved.”

Wilhelm says lasting change requires solutions that address the root causes of food insecurity.

“Food assistance programs provide critical support, but they cannot solve food insecurity on their own,” says Wilhelm. “Lasting solutions require affordable housing, adequate incomes, and social assistance rates that reflect the real cost of living. Until those issues are addressed, too many households will continue to rely on emergency food programs to get by.”

Wilhelm adds that while the numbers in this year’s report are concerning, they also reflect the impact of a community that continues to step up in support of its neighbours. Donations and volunteers remain essential to ensuring people can access food and support when they need it most.

“None of this would be possible without the generosity of our community,” Wilhelm says. “Every food donation, financial contribution, and volunteer hour helps ensure people can access food and support close to home. Together, donors, volunteers, businesses, and community organizations are helping us respond to record levels of need while we continue advocating for long-term solutions.”

To learn more about hunger in Waterloo region and The Food Bank’s impact on addressing food insecurity and poverty, read the 2026 Community Impact report at thefoodbank.ca/communityimpact.

To get involved—by donating food, funds, or time—visit thefoodbank.ca/get-involved.

Watch video

About The Food Bank of Waterloo Region

Founded in 1984, The Food Bank of Waterloo Region (The Food Bank) was the first organization of its kind in Ontario dedicated to providing emergency food. Forty-two years after its incorporation, The Food Bank continues to evolve to meet the community’s needs, ensuring that no one in Waterloo region experiences hunger. As a distribution centre, The Food Bank distributes 10.5 million pounds of fresh, frozen, and non-perishable food to 65 organizations within the Community Food Assistance Network. Learn more at thefoodbank.ca.

Follow/like us on social

#FeedWR
Facebook, X, Instagram, Threads, TikTok, Bluesky, Pinterest: @FoodBankWatReg
LinkedIn/YouTube: @FoodBankWaterlooRegion

Media contact

Michelle Rickard
Manager, Marketing and Communications
The Food Bank of Waterloo Region
micheller@thefoodbank.ca