Growing Food Insecurity Hits Unexpected Demographics in Ottawa
The Ottawa Food Bank has released a sobering new report showing a significant shift in who's seeking food assistance in the nation's capital. According to the 2025 Ottawa Hunger Report presented on November 14, 2025, traditional notions of food bank users are being challenged as more two-parent families and seniors find themselves needing support.
Ottawa Food Bank CEO Rachael Wilson delivered the findings at Ottawa City Hall, highlighting what she describes as a worrying trend that reflects broader economic pressures affecting middle-class Canadians. The report documents how even families with two working parents are increasingly unable to make ends meet despite having multiple income streams.
Changing Demographics of Food Insecurity
The data reveals that the face of hunger in Ottawa is changing dramatically. Two-parent families, once considered economically stable, now represent one of the fastest-growing demographics accessing food bank services. This shift indicates that employment alone no longer guarantees food security in today's economic climate.
Similarly, seniors are turning to the food bank in unprecedented numbers. Many older adults on fixed incomes are finding their pensions and savings stretched beyond capacity by rising living costs, particularly housing expenses and grocery inflation that have outpaced income growth.
Economic Pressures Driving the Crisis
The report points to several key factors contributing to this disturbing trend:
- Rising housing costs consuming larger portions of household budgets
- Food inflation continuing to outpace wage growth
- Inadequate social support systems for working families
- Fixed incomes failing to keep pace with living expenses for seniors
Wilson emphasized that these findings represent more than just statistics - they reflect real families and individuals who never imagined they would need food assistance. Many are employed, own homes, and have played by the rules, yet still find themselves unable to afford basic necessities.
The Ottawa Food Bank is calling for coordinated action from all levels of government and community partners to address what has become a systemic issue rather than an individual failing. The organization stresses that food banks were originally conceived as emergency services, but for growing numbers of Ottawans, they've become a regular source of support.
