Nearly 28% of households in the Niagara Region faced food insecurity in the years 2023 and 2024, marking a significant 56% surge from the previous two years, as per the latest data from Public Health Ontario. Brock University’s Professor Joanne Heritz predicts a continued rise in food insecurity levels. Heritz, the author of a Niagara hunger report from October 2025, highlighted the growing reliance on food banks and meal programs in the region, particularly through Feed Niagara.
The increasing cost of housing and living expenses, coupled with rising food prices, is straining household budgets, leading to higher demand for support services. Community Care of St. Catharines and Thorold reported a record number of 275,000 individuals benefiting from their food security programs in 2024 and 2025. CEO Betty-Lou Souter noted that for each household served by the food bank, around 10 people receive assistance.
The organization has observed a rise in the number of seniors and children seeking aid, with kids even requesting food instead of gifts during holiday campaigns. Community Care’s food bank operates on a points system, allowing households to “shop” for groceries without monetary transactions, solely based on residency proof in St. Catharines and Thorold.
In a bid to combat food insecurity, a family-owned business in Welland, Cooks Who Feed, has donated over two million meals by pledging to provide 100 meals for every apron sold. Founder Seema Sanghavi, drawing from her own experiences with food insecurity, aims to reduce reliance on food banks through sustainable initiatives. Established in 2019, Cooks Who Feed collaborates with notable chefs and influencers to promote socially responsible practices within the culinary industry.
