News release

More Funding for Food Banks

Community Services

New government funding will help Nova Scotians in need put food on the table this holiday season.

“Now more than ever, people are counting on the food support that has long been available through their local food banks during the holiday season,” said Brendan Maguire, Minister of Community Services. “With this new funding, Nova Scotians can have peace of mind that food banks will continue to provide much needed food support in our communities – not just over the holidays, but year-round.”

The government is providing one-time funding of $2 million to Feed Nova Scotia to ensure food banks and food support programs meet the needs of Nova Scotians across the province. This includes $400,000 to supplement the organization’s Holiday Fund in Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) and $400,000 for holiday-related support outside HRM. The remaining $1.2 million is operational funding.

Quotes:

“We are incredibly grateful for the provincial government’s $2-million investment in Feed Nova Scotia, including $800,000 specifically for our Holiday Fund. This support will help us to provide critical assistance across the province through this holiday season and beyond. Our decision to transition from the Christmas Registry to the Holiday Fund reflects our commitment to recognizing the diverse needs of communities across Nova Scotia and helps ensure the member network can continue to provide support year round. Food insecurity exists 12 months a year, and this investment will help us reach even more Nova Scotians when they need it most.”
— Ash Avery, Executive Director, Feed Nova Scotia

Quick Facts:

  • 28.9 per cent of Nova Scotians are experiencing some level of food insecurity
  • according to Feed Nova Scotia, more than 57,000 Nova Scotians visited food banks in 2023; more than 21,000 of them were first-time clients
  • the Province provided $1.02 million in funding to Feed Nova Scotia in 2023-24

Additional Resources:

Feed Nova Scotia: https://www.feednovascotia.ca

Nova Scotia School Lunch Program: https://nslunch.ca

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