On Monday, June 22, the Township of Wellington North’s Council meeting saw community updates from two local foodbanks.
First up was the Mount Forest Community Pantry and their manager, Derek Bridgewater, said the Pantry currently supports over 300 households, but that number is on the rise.
Of the individuals served in the past year there are 1,779 adults registered with the Pantry and 1,005 children.
According to a 2024 report from Food Banks Canada, many families and individuals require food banks because of the rising cost of groceries.
A Bank of Canada article published earlier this year said food prices increased by about 22 per cent from 2022 to 2025; other consumer prices have increased by an average of just 13 per cent in that same period.
Due to the increase in food costs, the food banks are feeling the hit as well.
Food banks are sometimes required to purchase food from grocery stores, though to get the best price they often shop during sales or buy local.
Bridgewater said the Pantry is expected to see a 32 per cent increase in costs for 2026 due to the increasing food prices tied with an increasing number of people requiring the service.
The Mount Forest Community Pantry is also looking for a new space to work out of, as their current lease expires in July 2027.
Council member Sherry Burke expressed her support for the Mount Forest Community Pantry.
Council member Penny Renken said ideally the pantry could find a location of its own, “the money, instead of going to rent, can go towards food.”
Next up was the Arthur Food Bank, which has had to increase its volunteer staff to account for the increase in demand from people in need.
Going from 2024 to 2025 the Arthur Food Bank has seen a 14 per cent increase in family intakes and 8 per cent for individuals.
The period from 2025 to 2026 saw an increased intake of 34 per cent for families and 30 per cent for individuals.
Shawna Lougheed, the president of Arthur Food Bank, is not expecting that trend to decrease any time soon.
As for grocery costs, the Arthur Food Bank spent $18,577 in 2024.
This year that figure ballooned to $28,206, an increase of about 52 per cent.
Donations in recent years have also seen a notable decline; from 2024 to 2025 the Arthur Food Bank’s donation numbers decreased by 26.2 per cent, that slightly rebounded from 2025 to 2026 with a 6.1 per cent increase of total donations, but ultimately results in a net decrease of total donations over the two-year period.
Lougheed said most of their donations come from local churches, businesses, the Township and the individuals in the community.
