Who handles food security?
Food Security
Food security involves all levels. Federal handles food safety inspection nationally, provinces administer school nutrition and agriculture programs, and municipalities support food banks and community food programs.
⚠️ Shared Jurisdiction: This area involves multiple levels of government. The information below shows the primary responsibility at each level, but overlap is common. When in doubt, start with the level most directly related to your issue.
Key Facts
- ● Approximately 1 in 8 Canadians (nearly 3 million people) experienced food insecurity in 2023, according to Statistics Canada.
- ● Food banks in Canada distributed over 4 billion meals in 2023, serving more than 5 million people monthly.
- ● The federal government launched the Canada Child Benefit, which has been shown to reduce child food insecurity by 34%.
Federal
Parliament of Canada
- ● Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)
- ● Nutrition North Canada (northern communities)
- ● National food policy
- ● Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
💡 Example: Contact CFIA about food safety, or your MP about national food policy.
Provincial
Provincial Legislature
- ● School nutrition programs (provincial responsibility)
- ● Provincial food safety regulation
- ● Provincial agriculture and food programs
- ● Food bank coordination
💡 Example: Contact your provincial agriculture ministry about food programs.
Municipal
City / Town Hall
- ● Food banks and community kitchens
- ● Community gardens
- ● Local food programs and meal services
- ● Municipal food policy councils
💡 Example: Contact local food banks, or your councillor about community food programs.
Quick Reference — Who to Contact
🏛️ Federal
Your Member of Parliament (MP)
🏢 Provincial
Your MPP, MLA, or MNA
🏘️ Municipal
Your City Councillor
How to Get Involved
You can make your voice heard on this issue by contacting your elected representatives at all levels of government.
- ● Contact your MP about federal policies and programs
- ● Reach out to your provincial MLA/MPP about provincial programs and regulations
- ● Attend municipal council meetings to discuss local initiatives
- ● Join advocacy organizations focused on this issue
- ● Volunteer at or donate to your local food bank to support community food security efforts.
- ● Contact your MP about expanding the Canada Child Benefit and national food security strategies.
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Take Action →Frequently Asked Questions
Food insecurity means lacking reliable access to enough affordable, nutritious food. According to the 2019 Canadian Community Health Survey, 1 in 8 Canadian households experienced food insecurity.
Food security involves multiple levels: federal (agriculture policy, nutrition programs), provincial (social assistance, food banks), and municipal (community kitchens, local food programs).
Canada's strategy includes the Canada Child Benefit (reducing child food insecurity), the Healthy Eating Strategy, and funding for food banks and community food programs.
Food banks collect and distribute food to people in need. They are run by local charities, often through Food Banks Canada. No proof of income is typically required.
Donate to food banks, volunteer at community kitchens, advocate for living wages and adequate social assistance, and support local food security initiatives.