Emergency Food Security Fund

Initial funding

In April 2020, the Government of Canada announced up to $100 million through the Emergency Food Security Fund to Canadian food banks and other national food rescue organizations to help improve access to food for people experiencing food insecurity in Canada due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Funds were used to:

• purchase food and other basic necessities
• buy or rent equipment and materials
• transport and distribute food
• access new distribution centres
• hire temporary help to fill volunteer shortages
• implement biosecurity measures

How the funds were distributed

The Government is working with key national and regional agencies that have an established network and distribution system for food aid and providing food to those in need.

• Food Banks Canada provides national leadership to relieve and prevent hunger in collaboration with the food bank network in Canada and received $50 million.
  • Contact: support@foodbankscanada.ca or 1-800-986-5280

• $49.2 million was distributed to:
  • Second Harvest recovers fresh, unsold food to protect the environment and provide immediate hunger relief.
    • Contact: emergencyfund@secondharvest.ca
  • Community Food Centres Canada works with partners to create Community Food Centres that bring people together to grow, cook, share and advocate for good food.
    • Contact: grants@cfccanada.ca
  • Breakfast Club of Canada provides food, kitchen equipment, training, and volunteers to school clubs across the country.
    • Contact: programs@breakfastclubcanada.org or 1-800-986-5280
  • Salvation Army supports food security across Canada through food banks, community meals, and school meals.
    • Contact: 1-800-SAL-ARMY

These five organizations are working with local partners to meet the urgent food needs of Canadians, including Indigenous peoples and Northern populations. Their services will extend beyond their normal networks to reach the needs of all Canadians as widely as possible.

La Tablée des Chefs also received $800,000 to distribute meals in Québec and other large urban centers.

Organizations seeking assistance should reach out to the five organizations above (Food Banks Canada, Second Harvest, Community Food Centres Canada, the Breakfast Club of Canada and the Salvation Army) to obtain emergency aid.