More Canadians going hungry as food insecurity hits four-year high
More Canadians struggling to get by are being forced to make tough choices between food, housing, and everyday essentials, according to a new report.
The Salvation Army has just released its “2026 Canadian Poverty and Socioeconomic Analysis” report, and the results are disheartening. More than 1,500 Canadians took part in the survey, which examines their attitudes, behaviours, and experiences related to poverty, food and housing affordability, financial security, and other socioeconomic challenges.
According to The Salvation Army, the number of Canadians struggling with food insecurity is the highest it’s been since the study’s four-year tracking period. An alarming 31 per cent of Canadians say they skipped or cut the size of their meals because they couldn’t afford groceries; that number is up from 27 per cent in 2025. In 2025, 11 per cent said they accessed community food supports; this year, the number has gone up to 15 per cent.
Those numbers are on track with an annual Food Banks Canada report that states monthly food bank visits have reached a record-breaking 2.35 million visits in 2026 — a nine per cent increase from 2025, and a 117 per cent increase since 2019.
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“For many families, making ends meet is no longer about cutting back on extras,” said Glenn van Gulik, national spokesperson for The Salvation Army. “It’s about making difficult choices between food, housing, and other basic necessities.”
Food insecurity also affects Canadians differently depending on their age, with younger people more likely to struggle.
A full 41 per cent of Canadians aged 18 to 34 said they’ve skipped or cut meals because they couldn’t afford groceries, compared with 31 per cent nationally. In the same age group, 76 per cent said they struggle to manage with limited financial resources, compared with 55 per cent of respondents 55 and older. Twenty-three per cent of younger Canadians said they’ve accessed community food supports, up from 15 per cent in 2025.
And it’s not just the cost of food that’s on Canadians’ minds.
Half of the Canadians surveyed said they’re worried they won’t be able to find suitable, affordable housing in their community if their circumstances change. And 24 per cent said they spend at least half of their after-tax household income on housing.
Meanwhile, 89 per cent said they’re concerned that proposed U.S. tariffs will put even more pressure on already tight budgets, while 60 per cent said they’ve already felt the financial impact on their household expenses.
But as more Canadians struggle to make ends meet, community support is also playing an increasingly important role. According to The Salvation Army, 83 per cent of Canadians who accessed its services said the support improved their family’s well-being, up from 80 per cent in 2025.
“Every donation, every volunteer hour and every act of generosity helps us continue providing food, shelter, and practical support to people who need it most,” said van Gulik.