Press Release
For immediate distribution
Montreal: a 32 % increase in the use of food bank programs as a permanent solution
Montreal, November 12th 2009 — For more than 18 300 Montrealers, the need to turn to community organisations for emergency food supplies is becoming a permanent solution. According to the Hunger Count 2009 Report unveiled by Moisson Montreal today, this represents a 32 % increase in visits to food counters compared to last year. Johanne Théroux, Executive Director of Canada’s largest food bank, has painted an alarming portrait of poverty in Montreal in a context where food product donations upon which the organisation is dependent are on the decline. Among those most greatly affected are the elderly, children and single-income workers. For many Montrealers, depending on community support to fill kitchen cupboards is no longer an emergency measure, but a permanent one.
“Given current trends and our analysis of Moisson Montreal’s Hunger Count results, I feel that the question of food supply insecurity and hunger in urban centres could become the most important challenge of the century for Montreal, concludes Johanne Théroux, Executive Director of Moisson Montreal. While the situation has been deteriorating for a number of years now, it seems to off the radar of elected officials.”
Poverty, calculated:
• 115 467 persons are served on a monthly basis by Moisson Montreal, an increase of 2.8 % compared to 2008, which was already on the rise by 1.8 % compared to 2007.
• Monthly distribution of 115 651 bags of foodstuffs (increase of 6.0 %)
• Monthly distribution of 628 981 meals (increase of 5.6 %)
• 12 252 households visit food counters at least 3 times per month. This represents a 32 % increase over last year.
Profile of the clientele:
• 39 605 children required monthly food supply support compared to 36 054 children in 2008. Children represent one third of those helped.
• An increase of 54.3 % of persons receiving old age pension, compared to an increase of 10.2 % in 2008.
• An increase of 15.4 % in the number of workers turning to food banks, compared to 10% in 2008, 9.1 % in 2007 and 8.4 % in 2006.
• Persons with a single income made up more than two thirds (68.6 %) of those helped.
Moisson Montreal’s recommendations:
• The maintenance and development of the financing of sustainable development initiatives and programs, such as The Good Food Box and the processing of surplus fruits and vegetables by philanthropic partners.
• Recurring and sufficient financial government support to ensure the maintenance of Moisson Montreal’s basic operations.
• The creation of fiscal incentives to encourage regular, quality food donations as a complementary measure to food recuperation.
• The establishment of a one-production-hour donation on the part of food manufacturers.
About Hunger Count
Hunger Count is an annual report on poverty and the use of food counters in Montreal. Hunger Count 2009 is the result of an important survey conducted last March of Montreal community organisations for whom Moisson Montreal remains the principal supply source. Hunger Count an exercise conducted by all members of Food Banks Canada.
About Moisson Montreal
Moisson Montreal is a non-profit organization. The food bank recovers and freely distributes food and essential products to community agencies on the Island of Montreal throughout the year. By distributing approximately 8.1 million kilograms of food products to 211 agencies who help 115 000 people annually, Moisson Montreal is Canada's largest food bank.
http://www.moissonmontreal.org
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Contact :
Michelle Sullivan
Michelle Sullivan Communications
514 995.4015
ms@michellesullivan.ca