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By Sarah Jones

Grant Program

Alberta government continues to address food security challenges

Apr 11, 2023 | 3:00 PM

The Government of Alberta has provided food banks and related food security organizations across the province with $10 million.

It is part of the province’s commitment made in November 2022 to allocate $20 million over two years to help put food on the tables of Albertans.

The three grant streams included the Food Bank Grant, Food Security Grant and Donation Matching Grant.

Jeremy Nixon, Minister for Seniors, Community and Social Services said, “After hearing from those representing food banks in Alberta, we knew our government needed to act.”

Nixon went on to say, “These grants are ensuring that food banks and other organizations big and small can carry out the incredible work they do. Our government is proud to be partnered with so many individuals dedicated to supporting those in need.”

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In addition to the three grant streams, the government said it will provide $510,000 to Food Banks Alberta to strengthen the food bank network in the province.

According to the province, those funds will be used to provide training to food bank staff, develop an improved data system and enable bulk food purchases.

CEO of Food Banks Alberta Arianna Scott said, “Food Banks Alberta and organizations across the province are grateful for the support from Alberta’s government. We are encouraged by their actions to address food insecurity and the issues Albertans are facing today.”

Of the funding provided, more than $3.4 million has been used to match donations made to food security organizations, up to a maximum of $50,000.

All 113 organizations that applied for the Donation Matching Grant were provided with funding.

In Red Deer, the Red Deer Food Bank Society is receiving $50,000.

Click here for a complete list of grant recipients from across the province.

Meantime, Public Interest Alberta says the funding fails to address underlying inequities in the province.

“Funding for the food banks is a necessary stopgap measure to deal with the immediate crisis,” said Bradley Lafortune, Executive Director of Public Interest Alberta. “But, we need to look at the upstream issues and get to the real causes of food and income insecurity.”

“Why is it that wages are stagnant? Why is it that over half of Albertans are only $200 away from not meeting their financial obligations? Why is affordable housing out of reach for so many? Why are the grocery stores posting record-breaking profits on the backs of working people? Why have utility prices soared while Albertans’ savings have evaporated?” asked Laforttune.

“The UCP’s track record of cuts, chaos, and privatization has taken a bad situation and made it worse,” said Lafortune. “They’ve slashed the corporate tax rate, allowing for wealthy corporations to profiteer throughout the pandemic and cost of living crisis. They’ve frozen the minimum wage for years. They’ve sold off public housing to the highest bidder. They’ve removed the cap on utilities. They’ve cut and damaged the essential public services that enable all to thrive, no matter their ability to pay. Their craven disregard for Albertans struggling these past several years will cause many to question the timing of this announcement — mere weeks out from a provincial election.”

“Albertans deserve better than smoke-and-mirrors feel-good publicity,” said Lafortune. “We deserve real solutions to the cost of living crisis and an end to poverty and food insecurity.”