Supply disruptions and rising costs: Montreal food bank drops turkey donations
The rapid rise in food prices is impacting many of Montreal’s food banks.
Supermarket prices have gone up as much as 30 per cent, which experts attribute to galloping inflation caused by production slowdowns during the pandemic, disruptions in the global supply chain, and climate change.
Turkey producers were already facing low supply before COVID hit, making the holiday staple harder to obtain.
For outreach organization Sun Youth, this is bad news. The non-profit says it expects to distribute 5,000 food baskets this holiday season, but says there may not be enough to go around, as more and more families are having trouble making ends meet.
“We’re planning for 5,000 families and there are few spots left. There’s less than 1,000 spots left for emergency cases, so we’re gonna max out, which is something we don’t alway do,” explains Sun Youth’s Eric Kingsley.
One of the tougher decisions Kingsley made was replacing Sun Youth’s distribution of 3,000 turkeys with chicken instead. Sun Youth had ordered the turkeys in September from a B.C. supplier, but recent floodings in the province cut off supply lines, leaving the charity empty-handed.
Sun Youth says it’s inviting donors with access to frozen turkeys to bring them over to their distribution facility, so at least a handful of families can enjoy a turkey this holiday season.
DOUBLE CHALLENGE
Inflation poses a double challenge for food banks, driving more people to seek help with their rising bills, while making it harder for charities to buy food to help them, said Martin Munger, general manager of the Food Banks of Quebec.
"Since September, it is more difficult," he said. "You can really feel it, in going to food banks, that there are more people coming than the summer or last spring."
It's not just food. In Quebec, the consumer price index rose 5.3 per cent over one year, according to Statistics Canada.
"When rent is more expensive, when travel costs more, when children's clothes to go to school are more expensive, the compressible mass at the end is food," said Munger. "When they can't support themselves, people come to food banks."
Already in March, nearly 610,000 people went to food banks each month, according to a report published by Food Banks of Quebec. This was a 22 per cent increase from before the pandemic. This figure could be even higher with the surge in inflation.
While the spirit of solidarity during the holiday season is a welcome help, Munger said that the first few months of the year are difficult for people who go to food banks.
"Once the holiday season [haul] has been distributed, the months of January, February and March are generally very difficult for food banks and the people who need them," he said.
NEED FOR STORAGE SPACE
Members of the Quebec Food Bank network also need more storage space, says Munger. The organization has just gotten aid from the Quebec government of up to $3 million to finance projects in this vein.
The amounts were provided for in the budget unveiled in March by the Minister of Finance, Eric Girard, but the official announcement was made on Monday.
With their food recovery programs in partnership with 440 supermarkets in Quebec, food banks need more freezing and processing space, explains Mr. Munger.
"When you receive meat that has not passed its date, but is approaching the pre-emption date, well, you have to freeze it or process it."
Needs vary from organization to organization, with some food banks needing kitchen space, others with other problems. Spending the $3 million will be no problem, with a committee selecting them, Munger said.
He was unable to say how many projects will be selected with the $3 million envelope. He noted that part of the funding would be obtained from private donors and that government money could subsidize up to 70 per cent of a project.
On average, a project could represent an investment of around $200,000, he said.
--With files from The Canadian Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Iran fired air defence batteries early Friday morning as explosions could be heard near a major air base near Isfahan, raising fears of a possible Israeli strike following Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.