A growing number of Canadians are using food banks, and the situation is particularly dire in Canada's largest city.
The Daily Bread Food Bank, Toronto’s largest food bank organization, projects over 4 million client visits to food banks across the city for the 2025 fiscal year.
The forecast, based on the organization’s internal modelling, reflects a sharp rise in demand driven by persistent inflation, soaring housing costs, and stagnant wages.
The projection marks a 273% increase in food bank visits since pre-pandemic levels, underscoring a growing food insecurity crisis in Canada’s largest city. Daily Bread’s forecasting models incorporate trends in monthly client visits, economic data on inflation and housing affordability, and consultations with economists and the City of Toronto.
The organization has shared these projections in multiple public statements and media releases throughout 2025. The anticipated 4 million visits follow a record 3.49 million visits in the 2023–2024 fiscal year, with nearly half of clients being employed but unable to cover basic needs after paying rent.
The surge in food bank usage reflects broader economic challenges. In Ontario, food banks recorded 7.6 million visits and served 1 million unique users in 2023–2024. Nationally, over 2 million Canadians accessed food banks in March 2024 alone, according to Food Banks Canada. Daily Bread’s data highlights the strain on Toronto residents, with many facing impossible choices between rent and food.
