The Alberta government will be contributing up to $20 million over the next two years to support food banks in the province.
Premier Danielle Smith made the announcement last week when she addressed the province in a television spot. There will be $10 million allocated over two years, with the first $5 million distributed in the coming weeks, and the second $5 million allocated over the 2022-2023 fiscal year.
In addition to this contribution, the government is allocating $10 million over two years in matching funds towards Alberta Food Bank charities and non-profits. The aim is to raise community awareness and involvement in food banks.
Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services Jeremy Nixon took time for a roundtable with the membership of the Alberta Weekly Newspaper Association to outline the program.
“This is obviously a very important announcement in trying to address food security, which is part of my mandate letter given to me by the Premier,” said Nixon. “At this time, we know Albertans are going through an inflation crisis.”
According to a recent study cited by the Alberta government in a press release, Alberta has the highest food bank usage in Canada.
“Traditionally, we haven't funded food banks in the province, but recognizing the crisis many Albertans are facing and the challenges many Alberta food banks are facing. As of August, we have seen a 73 per cent uptake in food bank usage. We know the cost of living across the province has gone up, and this has become a very large problem for Albertans,” Nixon said.
He said the government will partner with Family and Community Support Service (FCSS) organizations and Food Banks Alberta to help with distribution.
Amanda Courtenay of the Drumheller Salvation Army says the local food bank is a member of Food Banks Alberta.
It has 104 member food banks that share best practices and buying power.
“It is why we are working with Alberta Food Banks and FCSS, to help with the distribution of the funds,” said Nixon. “We want to make sure we are broadening this beyond just traditional food banks because there is a lot of not-for-profits that also do a lot of great work in food security and have a more intimate knowledge of need within our communities. This is going to be opened up right across the province, and we are going to be working through our partners to help determine the best way to distribute the finds to have maximum impact.”