(JULIA M CAMERON / PEXELS)
Harvest Manitoba’s latest Harvest Voices report shows a growing number of families with children turning to food banks as rising living costs continue to outpace household incomes.
The 2025 report — the fifth annual edition — found that families with children now make up 45 percent of food bank users in Manitoba, a 40 percent increase compared to five years ago. The average household size has also grown from two to nearly three people.
More clients are working or have post-secondary education, yet still struggle to afford basic needs. Sixty-two percent of surveyed families said they go hungry at least once a month because they cannot afford food.
“Many are working and educated, and doing everything they can to stay afloat,” said Meaghan Erbus, director of network, advocacy & education at Harvest Manitoba.
“Rising housing costs, childcare shortages, and wages that don’t match the cost of living are putting enormous pressure on households. These are conditions that require long-term solutions, and our hope is that this report helps guide that work.”
The report includes firsthand accounts from clients, including workers holding multiple jobs who still face food insecurity.
Key trends from 2021 to 2025 include:
- Household size rising from 2 to 2.9 people
- Families with children increasing from 32% to 45%
- Clients with post-secondary education growing from 33% to 61%
- 62% of families experiencing hunger monthly
Harvest Manitoba CEO Vince Barletta said the findings highlight the need for long-term solutions beyond food banks. The report outlines 10 recommendations focused on affordability, childcare, and expanded access to skills training and lower-barrier employment, especially in trades and health care.
Read the Harvest Voices report below:
