Bare shelves at Alberta food banks as demand soar: ‘Very difficult year’

Food banks in Alberta are facing an alarming shortage of supplies as demand surges, raising concerns as the holiday season approaches. Darryl Burry, executive director of Food Banks Alberta, expressed that this is the first time the organization has encountered such a level of scarcity within their warehouse. Typically, the warehouse is stocked with pallets of donated products, but now, those aisles are largely empty due to increased demand.

Food Banks Alberta serves 112 member food banks across the province, distributing food to those in need. In 2025, the organization distributed 3.36 million pounds of food province-wide, but this year alone, they projected to distribute nearly 90% of their total volume in the first six months. Demand increased significantly in August, with shipments running 32.8% higher than in the same month of the previous year.

Statistics from Food Bank Canada’s 2025 HungerCount show that Alberta recorded more than 210,000 average monthly food bank visits, a nearly 22% jump from 2024. Burry emphasized that most people visiting food banks are working individuals and families trying to make ends meet.

While the 2026 HungerCount numbers are not yet released, projections suggest another significant increase in those accessing food banks in Alberta. Edmonton's Food Bank, which supports over 43,000 people monthly, is also experiencing unprecedented demand. The need is growing due to various factors, but the organization is doing its best to match the community's demand.

Edmonton's Food Bank states that when demand outpaces supply, they have to spend some of their own funding to keep up, with inflation making it even more challenging. Last year, the food bank spent $3.9 million on food purchases, and they anticipate spending approximately $2 million more this year to offset the lack of donations and their reduced buying power.

As we head into the busiest season of the year for food banks in Alberta, organizations are hoping for additional help from the public. Burry expressed that this is the first time they have encountered such a level of scarcity within their warehouse, and it will become a significant challenge as food banks make their orders and the organization simply does not have the products to provide them. He stated, "Nobody in this province should have to choose between rent and groceries."