Food security is the converse: access that is reliable, sufficient, acceptable in quality, and obtained in ways that do not cost a household its dignity. The measure is taken from what households report, not from what is on store shelves, which is why it tracks income, rent and employment rather than supply.
Statistics Canada reported that in 2024 about 9.8 million people — 24.0% of Canadians — lived in households reporting some form of food insecurity: 5.6% marginally, 11.9% moderately and 6.5% severely food insecure. Marginal means worrying about running out; severe means missing meals or going whole days without eating.
It appears constantly in food infrastructure coverage because the response is built out of the same assets: community kitchens, meal programs, markets and food banks. Food Banks Canada recorded 2,165,776 visits to food banks in March 2025, the highest number ever recorded and 5.2% above March 2024. The food news briefings track the funding and policy behind those numbers.
