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Preamble:
WHEREAS food insecurity continues to rise across Alberta due to increasing costs of living, inflation, and housing pressures, resulting in greater reliance on food banks and emergency food supports; and
WHEREAS Alberta food banks experience approximately 210,541 visits per month, representing a 21.8% increase over the previous year, and reflecting a sustained upward trend in demand; and
WHEREAS food bank usage in Alberta has increased by over 90% since 2019, demonstrating a significant and ongoing strain on food security systems; and
WHEREAS nationally, food banks recorded over 2.16 million visits in a single month in 2025, nearly double the number recorded in 2019; and
WHEREAS approximately 27% of Albertans experience food insecurity, while 25.5% of Canadians—approximately 10 million people—live in food-insecure households, demonstrating the scale of the issue; and
WHEREAS more than one-third of food bank users in Alberta are children, highlighting the disproportionate impact of food insecurity on families; and
WHEREAS nearly one in five food bank users is employed, indicating that food insecurity increasingly affects working households; and
WHEREAS approximately 80% of food banks are now required to purchase food to meet demand, reducing their ability to rely solely on donations; and
WHEREAS community gardens provide a sustainable, community-based approach to improving food security by increasing access to fresh and nutritious food while fostering community resilience and engagement; and
WHEREAS rural municipalities face unique challenges, including limited volunteer capacity, reduced access to funding, transportation barriers, and fewer local resources to support food security initiatives; and
WHEREAS existing provincial funding programs are often short-term, project-based, or not designed to support the operational sustainability of food banks and community gardens;
Operative Clause:
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) advocate to the Government of Alberta (GOA) to establish and/or expand stable, predictable provincial funding streams to support both the operational and capital needs of food banks and community gardens, particularly in rural municipalities, including but not limited to funding for food procurement, storage infrastructure, staffing or volunteer supports, land development, irrigation systems, and equipment necessary to ensure long-term sustainability and service delivery;
FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that the RMA advocate to the GOA to develop targeted funding programs and grant streams that address the unique challenges faced by rural communities, including limited volunteer capacity, reduced fundraising opportunities, geographic isolation, higher transportation and distribution costs, and barriers to accessing existing funding programs;
FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that the RMA advocate to the GOA to work collaboratively with municipalities, Food Banks Alberta, agricultural partners, and community organizations to strengthen food security initiatives across Alberta by improving program alignment, reducing duplication, supporting knowledge sharing and best practices, and fostering integrated approaches that balance emergency food provision with long-term, community-based solutions such as community gardens and local food production initiatives.
Member Background:
Food insecurity in Alberta has reached unprecedented levels, placing significant strain on food banks and community-based food security initiatives. According to Food Banks Canada, Alberta food banks now serve approximately 210,541 visits per month, representing a 21.8% increase year-over-year, while overall demand has grown by over 90% since 2019. [2 & 3]
This rapid increase reflects broader trends in food insecurity. Approximately 27% of Albertans experience food insecurity, and nationally 25.5% of Canadians—nearly 10 million people—live in food-insecure households. Notably, food insecurity increasingly affects working households, with nearly one in five food bank users reporting employment as their primary income source. [4, 7 & 8]
Food banks are experiencing growing operational pressures as a result of this sustained demand. Approximately 80% of food banks now purchase food to meet client needs, significantly reducing their financial flexibility and ability to respond to increasing demand. Some organizations report reducing portion sizes or struggling to maintain adequate supply levels, particularly in smaller and rural communities where access to donations and infrastructure is more limited. [5 & 10]
The impact of food insecurity is particularly significant among children and families. More than one-third of food bank users in Alberta are children, raising concerns about long-term health, development, and educational outcomes. [3]
In addition to emergency food services, community gardens represent an important complementary strategy to improve food security. Research indicates that community gardens increase access to fresh, nutritious food while strengthening social connections, promoting local food systems, and enhancing community resilience. However, these initiatives require infrastructure, coordination, and sustained operational support, which are often dependent on inconsistent or short-term funding sources. [9]
Currently, provincial funding for food security initiatives is limited and often project-based, creating challenges for long-term sustainability. Rural municipalities face additional barriers, including smaller volunteer bases, reduced fundraising capacity, and higher transportation costs.
A coordinated and sustained provincial funding approach would enable food banks to meet rising demand while also supporting preventative, community-based initiatives such as community gardens. Strengthening both emergency and long-term food security solutions will help ensure equitable access to food support and improve resilience across Alberta communities.
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RMA Background:
19-24F: Exemption from Food Banks Canada’s Standard of Excellence and Accreditation Requirements for Small and/or Rural Local Food Banks
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Rural Municipalities of Alberta advocate the Government of Alberta to add further exemptions to the Standards of Excellence established by Food Banks Canada for small, rural food banks similar to the exemption to northern and Indigenous food banks.
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