Demand at Quebec food banks expected to continue rising, group says
To cope with this, the BAQ is calling on the government to provide “substantial funding to meet the needs of the network and help the most vulnerable.”
According to a new economic study by the Quebec food bank network (BAQ), requests for food aid in the province are expected to continue rising over the next three years. The study, unveiled on Thursday, offers a forecast of future demand and aims to better understand the primary factors contributing to it.
"The study confirms the concerning trend noticed by the BAQ, indicating that the number of requests for food aid will increase," the organization stated, noting that BAQ member organizations have been under growing pressure for several years.
In 2024, the BAQ responded to 2.9 million requests each month. The study by Aviseo predicts this figure will rise to 3.22 million by 2027, marking an increase of over 320,000 requests over the next three years. It forecasts growth of 5.19% in 2026 and 4.23% in 2027.
To address this challenge, the BAQ is urging the government to provide significant funding to support the network and assist the most vulnerable members of the community.
The network has requested $38 million for 2025-2026, $36 million for 2026-2027, and $34 million for 2027-2028.
"In recent years, government funding for food purchases has been crucial to bridging the gap and ensuring enough food to meet rising demand. While the study highlights that this gap will continue to widen, exacerbating the need for food aid, the BAQ is seeking predictable funding instead of continually having to approach the government for support," the organization emphasized in its statement.
