The Alberta government has injected $10 million into tackling food security across Alberta. (CHAT News file photo)

By Eli J. Ridder | @EliRidder

Provincial Politics

Alberta unlocks $10M to tackle food security, applications open this month

Nov 6, 2023 | 4:10 PM

EDMONTON, AB – The Alberta government is injecting $10 million into the effort to tackle food security in the face of high grocery prices, a fresh round of funding for food banks and community organizations across the province.

The money is part of the government’s commitment to deliver adequate, ongoing funding to ensure that Alberta families can put nutritious food on their tables, officials said.

“Nobody should ever be left wondering where their next meal will come from,” said minister of seniors, community and social services Jason Nixon from a food bank in Edmonton.

“With this funding, more Albertans across the province will have access to critical supports to get the food they need,” Nixon added.

“The rising cost of living has put increased pressures on many communities across the province and our government will continue to have Albertans backs.”

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Food banks will receive $3.7 million this month, with $900,000 of that piece of the funding already provided to the Family and Community Support Services Association of Alberta to give out through food security grants and shelters.

An additional $4.1 million has been allocated for food security grants. Applications to access that funding will open this month to organizations promoting food security, including smaller organizations that provide culturally appropriate food.

Food Banks Alberta will receive $2.2 million to develop a program that will coordinate the needs of food banks and related operators during emergency needs such as natural disasters.

The executive director of Food Banks Alberta, Shawna Bissell, said her organization makes the most of what they receive.

“Food banks in Alberta embody the ideal of making the very most out of what you have been given,” Bissell said.

“Through the generosity of everyday Albertans and the support of our government, we can continue this work of doing what needs to be done to address food insecurity in our communities with consideration, compassion, efficiency, and effectiveness.”

Alberta has allocated $26 million for tackling food security since 2020.

“The UCP has failed Albertans,” said Marie Renaud, Alberta NDP Critic for Social Services. “Demand on food banks is so high that they can’t keep up, and this is not something the government should be celebrating.

“The UCP are ignoring their responsibility for pushing Albertans into poverty. This government has driven up costs on utilities, auto insurance, and tuition, they made a mess out of AISH and Seniors Benefits over the last four years, and now they’re threatening to go after Albertans retirement security by pulling out of the CPP.”

“People are really struggling, and this government continues to bury its head in the sand,” said Renaud. “The UCP are patting themselves on the back for a job well done when they have to increase funding for food banks, or for more mats on the floor at shelters, but they’re ignoring what they could be doing to help people in the long term.

“We have seen the UCP refuse to make meaningful investments in supportive housing, and have decreased the number of affordable housing units every year. Plus, they refuse to bring in any kind of legislation to protect renters. These measures would truly make a difference in Albertans lives and the UCP are downright ignoring them.”

“Ensuring all Albertans can afford the roof over their head, the food on the table, and the electricity to heat their home should be the number one priority of this government to bring down food bank usage,” said Renaud.

“It’s clear that affordability is not the UCP’s priority, and that they care more about gambling with Albertans’ pensions in a fight with Ottawa than the struggles people are facing here at home.”