The shelves at Calgary’s Hillhurst Community Food Bank tell a story that statistics alone cannot capture. On a Wednesday morning in May, volunteer coordinator Marta Sanchez arranges canned goods that will likely be gone by afternoon.
“We’re seeing 40% more families each month compared to last year,” Sanchez explains, gesturing toward the half-empty storage room behind her. “And we’re receiving about 25% less in donations. The math just doesn’t work anymore.”
Across Calgary, food banks are facing a perfect storm of challenges in spring 2025. Record inflation, new agricultural tariffs, and lingering economic uncertainty have created unprecedented pressure on emergency food services. For the first time in its 42-year history, the Calgary Food Bank has implemented a waiting list system for non-emergency assistance.
Janet Morris, executive director of the Calgary Food Bank, describes the situation as “unsustainable without immediate intervention.” The organization served over 27,000 Calgarians in April alone—nearly triple the monthly average from 2022.
“People who donated regularly are now showing up as clients,” Morris says. “The middle class is being squeezed from both directions—higher food costs and stagnant wages.”
Government data shows grocery prices in Alberta have increased 24% since 2023, outpacing both wage growth and general inflation. The average family grocery bill has climbed to $1,428 monthly according to Statistics Canada’s latest household spending report.
Meanwhile, Canada’s new agricultural tariff regime, implemented in January as part of trade negotiations with the United States, has dramatically increased costs for imported produce during winter months. Tomatoes that cost $2.99 per pound last year now regularly sell for $5.49.
Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek addressed the crisis during last week’s council meeting, announcing an emergency $1.2 million in funding for local food security programs. “This isn’t just an economic issue—it’s becoming a public health emergency,” Gondek stated. “When families can’t afford nutritious food, healthcare costs rise downstream.”
At the Bowness Community Association, their modest food pantry program has expanded from serving 85 households in 2023 to over 340 today. Program coordinator Aiden Thomas has witnessed the changing demographics firsthand.
“We’re seeing seniors on fixed incomes, young families with two working parents, university students—groups that never needed food assistance before,” Thomas observes while sorting through dwindling supplies. “One gentleman who visits us worked at the same engineering firm for 22 years before being laid off. This isn’t about personal failure; it’s systemic.”
The Alberta Federation of Agriculture reports that local food production has actually increased 12% year-over-year, but consumer prices haven’t reflected this boost in supply. Critics point to market concentration—three companies now control approximately 78% of food distribution in Western Canada, according to a University of Calgary economic analysis published in March.
Provincial response has been limited. Alberta’s Minister of Community and Social Services, Rebecca Schulz, pointed to existing support programs during a press conference last week, suggesting that “market corrections will eventually provide relief.” This stance has drawn criticism from advocacy groups who argue immediate intervention is necessary.
Food Banks Alberta, the provincial association representing 108 food banks, has called for temporary suspension of certain tariffs and implementation of a grocery price regulation system similar to Quebec’s pilot program.
“We need both emergency measures and structural change,” says Arianna Jackson, policy director at Food Banks Alberta. “When working families can’t afford basics even with steady employment, there’s something fundamentally broken in our system.”
Back at Hillhurst Community Food Bank, the human impact is evident. Karen Pedersen, a registered nurse and single mother of two teenagers, visits the food bank for just the second time.
“I’ve always made ends meet, even if it was tight,” Pedersen says quietly. “But when my rent increased $400 and groceries kept climbing, something had to give. I can either pay utilities or buy food—not both.”
Local businesses are stepping up where possible. The Calgary Farmers’ Market has established a “Harvest Share” program where customers can purchase extra produce for donation. Fifteen restaurants have joined the “Sunday Supper” initiative, preparing bulk meals for distribution through community agencies.
James Wong, owner of Noodle House Calgary, prepares 200 meals each Sunday despite facing his own rising costs. “We’re all in this together,” Wong says while packaging containers of vegetable stir-fry. “My business is struggling too, but I can’t watch my community go hungry.”
University of Calgary economics professor Dr. Eleanor Ramirez points to longer-term concerns about food security in Western Canada. “What we’re witnessing is partly cyclical and partly structural change,” Ramirez explains. “Climate impacts on agriculture, consolidation in distribution systems, and shifting global trade dynamics are creating a new normal that our social safety nets weren’t designed for.”
The Calgary Food Bank has launched an emergency fundraising campaign with a $5 million target to maintain operations through year-end. Major donors include the Calgary Foundation with $750,000 and several energy sector companies contributing matching funds.
For now, organizations are adapting day by day. The Hillhurst Community Food Bank has reduced the quantity of food in each hamper to serve more families, implemented appointment systems to manage crowds, and started growing produce on a vacant lot donated by a local developer.
“We’re beyond emergency response—we’re rebuilding our entire approach to community food security,” Sanchez reflects as volunteers prepare for the afternoon rush. “The question isn’t whether we’ll get through this particular crisis, but whether we’re ready for this to be the new reality.”
