.png;w=960)
REGINA, Sask. — Food bank visits in Saskatchewan jumped 11.8 per cent in March compared with a year earlier, outpacing the national increase as rising costs continue to leave residents struggling to afford food.
According to the new HungerCount 2026 report from Food Banks Canada, food banks across the country recorded 2.35 million visits in March, the highest number on record and an 8.7 per cent increase from March 2025.
Regina Food Bank CEO Mary Weimer says Regina is an “incredible community,” with individuals and corporations constantly donating, but that isn't the case everywhere in the province.
“I have had conversations with some of the smaller food banks in Saskatchewan and they’re having the opposite. They are really struggling – in a smaller community – to meet the demand,” said Weimer.
The report shows that Saskatchewan's increase in food bank visits was higher than the national average. In Saskatchewan, about 38 per cent of food bank clients are children, compared with about 33 per cent nationally.
Weimer also highlighted that more working people are using food banks in the province.
“We ask people, when they register, what their primary income source is, and 21.3% of Saskatchewan people report ‘employment income’ as their primary source,” said Weimer.
Weimer attributes this trend to the rising cost of living.
“Everything from food, housing, transportation, and all those everyday items – things are just becoming so expensive, and people are not able to manage,” said Weimer.
But Weimer reiterated that even though the Regina Food Bank is meeting demand, things aren't perfect.
“It’s been manageable for us in Regina, but we also don’t really see a line of sight to things improving.”
Weimer encourages Saskatchewan residents to talk to family members, neighbours and colleagues about what food insecurity is and what causes it, as she believes open dialogue is the only way to find a solution.
“I think what Hunger Count highlights is that food insecurity touches everyone,” said Weimer.
