March is National Nutrition Month, and one of the topics that arises during this time is how to address rising food insecurity in Canada. Progiftcards has been very active over the last decade in helping our clients tackle this growing problem. With nearly 2.2 million monthly visits reported in 2025, food banks across the country, supported by Food Banks Canada, are facing unprecedented demand. Monthly visits have doubled since 2019. According to their research, 1 out of 4 Canadians does not have access to the food they require to be at their best. Food insecurity not only affects families on a nutritional level, but it also impacts health, mental health, learning, and relationships.

The causes and solutions are complex and vary from region to region. A joint study between the University of Calgary, the O’Brien Institute for Public Health, and I Can for Kids has shown how gift cards can be part of a plan that may help food banks provide solutions tailored to individual communities’ needs.

The peer-reviewed study, Experiences and Perceived Outcomes of a Grocery Gift Card Programme for Households at Risk of Food Insecurity, found that using gift cards to help families—rather than relying solely on a traditional hamper method—can help in several ways. Gift cards allow clients the freedom to choose foods that suit their dietary needs. Participants reported that the program was convenient, personalized, and more private and discreet. People accessing services often feel stigma or embarrassment when asking for help, and the use of gift cards felt more empowering to most participants in the study.

Food banks and other agencies also noted several advantages to gift card programs. Gift cards can provide immediate relief, can be distributed to clients who may not have easy access to food bank locations, and are both efficient and effective. In traditional food programs, organizations must manage food storage, food waste, volunteer resources, and tight budgets. Gift cards can help reduce these logistical challenges.

Financial strain is cited by Food Banks Canada as the primary reason for the 100 percent increase in food bank usage in recent years. With many families in 2026 forced to choose between paying rent and buying food, food insecurity is increasingly being characterized as an income issue rather than a food supply problem. Families report that gift cards allow them to better budget their finances and purchase items they know their families will eat. Gift cards can also help address specific cultural and dietary needs that traditional hamper programs cannot always accommodate.

If you are interested in the latest research on food insecurity or are looking to start or enhance your programs, here are a few resources you may want to review:

• Evidence Synthesis – Food-Based Interventions to Mitigate Household Food Insecurity in Canada: A Systematic Review
• HungerCount – Food Banks Canada
• I Can for Kids | We Target Childhood Food Insecurity 

At Progiftcards, we are passionate about helping organizations and families address the growing issue of food insecurity in Canada. By working together, we can all make a difference  If you are interested in learning how gift cards may help support your local or regional initiatives, please do not hesitate to contact us—we would be happy to assist.