With food insecurity reaching crisis levels in Mississauga and across Ontario, local food banks are warning that looming U.S. tariffs could make the situation even worse.
As Food Banks Mississauga (FBM) prepares to launch its annual Give 30 Ramadan fundraising campaign, officials say the demand for food assistance is at an all-time high—and rising.
“We are not immune to economic pressures,” said FBM CEO Meghan Nicholls in a statement Monday. “This Ramadan, we need the support of our community more than ever as the cost of food continues to rise and the threat of tariffs looms.”
Nicholls urged residents to consider donating, noting that one in 13 Mississauga residents now relies on food banks. A donation of $84 can provide a family with a week’s worth of food.
Mississauga declared food insecurity an emergency in November 2024, recognizing that the issue has surpassed crisis levels and is not temporary. Other cities, including Toronto and Kingston, have since followed suit.
FBM officials say their network is now serving almost 10% more visitors each month compared to the same time last year. If current trends continue, they estimate that by 2027, over 100,000 Mississauga residents will depend on food banks—nearly double today’s number of 56,000 residents.
The situation reflects a province-wide affordability crisis. According to Feed Ontario, more than one million Ontarians accessed a food bank last year—the highest on record.
Adding to the strain, food banks fear that U.S. President Donald Trump’s threatened tariffs on Canadian goods, expected as early as March, could escalate food costs even further.
“Food insecurity is worse than it has ever been,” FBM officials warned, emphasizing the need for increased community support.
The Give 30 campaign, launched in 2012, encourages people of all backgrounds and faiths to give in the spirit of Ramadan. This year, it runs until March 30.
A donation of $84 can provide a family with a week’s worth of food, helping families like Bilal and Zoya (names changed for privacy), who fled conflict in search of a better life for their three children.
“It’s such a great relief when you are in trouble and get support,” Bilal told Food Banks Mississauga. “I can’t even put into words what it means.”
FBM’s 2024 Holiday Drive, which ran from November to mid-January, raised $3,042,879—the highest amount ever collected in a single campaign. The drive surpassed its $2.5 million goal by more than $500,000.
With the food insecurity crisis deepening, food bank officials hope the community will continue to step up and help those in need.