Increasing and Deepening Food Insecurity

Many more individuals and families in Flemingdon Park and Thorncliffe Park rely on emergency food distribution services since the ongoing dual crises – public health and inflation – of the pandemic. The TNO Food Collaborative served 1089 unique households in 2021, and 2322 in 2022, or an increase of 113% from 2021 to 2022. In Toronto more broadly, reliance on food banks was 16% higher than ever in 2022 (Who’s Hungry Report 2022 - Daily Bread Food Bank). 

Service providers described the challenges of trying to address food insecurity. They recognize the complexity and depth of the crisis for families. Agency and grassroots workers discussed the challenge of increasing demand for emergency food services.

Story Interview

Tara: Every week we're probably seeing a 13% increase with clients, and – 

Ali (Host): Did you say every week?

Tara: Yeah. Every week. So we get new clients every week. We already are struggling to support the clients we have currently. So we have... The food bank's open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays right now. And on Tuesdays, of course that's the day we have a lot of stuff in our food bank. And clients come in and we're always seeing the sense of... if they come on Wednesdays, they know that they're going to get less opportunity to get a good load of food, because by the end of the day on Wednesday, we've run out of dairy, we've run out of milk and eggs and bread. And so some clients are showing up, say, on Monday, with, "Can I just come today before the food bank starts, because we want to get..." So we are seeing clients that are feeling the panic of not being able to be provided with enough from us. So I think that's a big problem right now that we would like to see what we can do. Of course, we're not getting enough, we are constantly going to keep looking for resources to try and get food so that we can support as much as possible.

Maryam: Just to get the sense of it, how many clients are you serving every week?

Tara: I'd say on average around 400.

Maryam: Every week, that is?

Tara: Yeah. We serve the clients biweekly. And then of course there's lots of clients who have missed their appointments. And so the average of 400 is clients who actually manage to show up.

Maryam:  And on top of that, you say that every week there are more clients?

Tara: So every week we get new clients. We also get some people that aren't scheduled and we accommodate because of course we're not going to turn clients away. The way that we're approaching it right now is that you come and, we're not going to hold the food in case people don't show up too. So really it's the luck of the draw. Whoever gets to come in gets food, and we do our best to provide that. [Workers]

We heard, over and over again, that food insecurity is about so much more than food. The complexity of the challenges people live with can feel overwhelming for workers and residents alike. For workers, the challenges of meeting increasing demands are multiple, and sometimes the most urgent need is difficult to ascertain. 

Maryam: One more thing I wanted to point out more is that with all these operations that are happening in the community, we are not reaching even half of the population. We need to make that extra effort to find out other folks that are in need, but are not accessing it. Why are they not able to access [help]? We need to find out those barriers. Whether it is: “How can I present myself at the food bank?” “I have language barriers.” “I have transport issues.” This is important because people are still food insecure in the community. [Worker]

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the demand for emergency food distribution, and community agencies and grassroots initiatives struggled to respond. 

Maryam: I think the challenges, as Aida mentioned and Aaliyah mentioned and Tara was hinting at and Elise was ... We all went through those … challenges similar to that, before COVID. So the appointment system for the food bank came specifically during COVID because that was important. And we also tried to exercise that because we wanted to keep the numbers [manageable] to a certain extent. And this is why we didn't even send out flyers, because we knew that once you put a flyer out, X amount of people will turn up and then you have a limited supply of food as well. But then as you see people walking in, every time it would be 10 or 12 or 15 people just walking in just trying to find out like, "Oh, all right, this is what's happening over here and this is what's happening over here." So we used to keep some of the food share boxes on the side because we knew it would be four or five or 10 people walking in…. And at that point in time, it was sort of an emergency, so we wanted to be prepared at least for the walkins as well. But then again, you have a limited supply of food to give out as well. That is why one of the [challenges is] duplication, and everyone has hinted on that duplication. We try to compare notes with the agencies as well. Okay, how many people are using? How many people are using? Since we were working so closely together, we were able to really appreciate [that] yes, it's happening. People are going to the food bank. People are coming to the food distribution and then they are also crossing the boundaries, going elsewhere as well. The same things were being told to us by the food bank, Flemingdon Food Bank. They know for sure [that] people have registered at the Flemingdon Food Bank. They're also registered elsewhere as well. So this has been happening. [Worker]

While the presenting and immediate need may be food, there are often underlying needs that must be addressed, and an important way to address food insecurity is to help people access a range of resources.

Aida: When a project comes to the end, this is when people start calling and saying their struggles. Like, “I'm a senior. I actually can afford food, but I need someone to come and cook for me.” And this is how we start connecting them with the Meals on Wheels program…. And I say, "Okay, do you have social worker? Maybe they will send you a PSW." Or some people say, "You know what, I have eight kids. That's why I applied for this program." And I'm starting, "Okay, are you connecting with your school? Because find out if they have breakfast, or snack program, and make sure your kids get into that program." So this is how we start connecting people with other agencies. Or someone says, "Can you find a job?” [Laughter] I have those kinds of requests.

Ali (Host): Yeah.

Aida: “Can you find the job for me? I see that you are very popular in the community and maybe you can find a job for me.” [Multiple voices laughing.] And I'm like, “Can you go to the employment center?” So this is how we are. We found out that actually food [insecurity] has really many causes, for struggling. So in connecting to those, if you know very well what kind of programs are available around, it's very good to connect people and say, “You can connect to them. And your issue would be solved. Quit struggling, right?” [Worker]

Both workers and residents revealed that a common challenge is that people are not aware of the resources and supports that are available to them. 

Sarah (Host): So you are using some government programs?

Maliha: Yes.

Sarah (Host): And you did mention that you live with your parents.

Maliha: Right.

Sarah (Host): Are you finding there's any government programs or assistance programs that they have applied to, that are helpful for you or the family?

Maliha: No programs they applied for. What kind of programs?

Sarah (Host): There might be programs to do with healthcare, or perhaps a monthly subsidy based on your age. So are you aware of any programs?

Maliha: No. I am not aware of any programs that are happening, or they have. Yeah.

Workers observed that people use the food bank for more than food. For some, the food bank is a gathering place, helping to alleviate isolation.

Aaliyah: And that's important because people make ties to the food bank. I remember sitting in a meeting with a bunch of different food banks and everyone was praising themselves that they have clients that have been coming for 20 years. [Multiple voices expressing concern, such as: "Oh no!"] and they're so loyal. I was losing my mind because I'm like, this is not a good thing! And more times, it's that they make connections. It's like, you're lining in the lineup every day, you see this person, "My mom has friends at the food bank and she just wants to go just to see them." That's why when organizations are offering other services, it can create that transition. So even if they have a job now or if they are getting income or they don't really need the food anymore, they still want to come. And that happened a lot at the food banks that I would visit. And they're like, "No, I totally come and really see my friend. But while I'm here, I might as well just get that food," because all they offer is the food support. [Worker]

Food security is especially challenging when trying to provide for children. Access to food affects physical, social and emotional health. 

Farah: Yeah, because when you go into the kitchen and you want to cook something, and you are missing something. And the kids want those things. You can't afford them. And you are spending money on oil, salt, basic things. But they want the other things. You cannot afford any oysters. As a mother, you can see your child is crying, and you can't afford it. I grow those tears. I'm still in this, but now I tell myself, it'll be okay. But it is this, because I manage to cut food for ourselves, but I have to buy for our kids. 

Sarah (Host): Right. It is so much harder on the children.

Farah: Yeah. [Resident]

Summary

• Food insecurity is about so much more than food. The complexity of the challenges people live with can feel overwhelming for workers and residents alike. For workers, the challenges of meeting increasing demands are multiple, and sometimes the most urgent need is difficult to ascertain. 

• The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the demand for emergency food distribution, and community agencies and grassroots initiatives struggled to respond. 

• While the presenting and immediate need may be food, there are often underlying needs that must be addressed, and an important way to address food insecurity is to help people access a range of resources.

• Both workers and residents revealed that a common challenge is that people are not aware of the resources and supports that are available to them. 

• Workers observed that people use the food bank for more than food. For some, the food bank is a gathering place, helping to alleviate isolation.

• Food security is especially challenging when trying to provide for children. Access to food affects physical, social and emotional health.