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By rdnewsNOW staff

Alberta invests

Provincial government announces funding for food banks

Mar 6, 2025 | 5:08 PM

The Alberta government announced on Thursday another $5 million would be added to help fund food security if this year’s budget is passed.

Since 2020, the provincial government has invested more than $31 million to help food banks and community organizations support Albertans in need.

Seniors, Community and Social Services Minister Jason Nixon said no family should have to choose between buying groceries and paying their bills.

“Through the funding in Budget 2025, Alberta’s government will continue to support organizations across the province that provide nutritious food to Albertans every day,” Nixon added.

Last year, Alberta’s government invested in a partnership with Food Banks Alberta to strengthen its existing programs to ensure the province’s network of food banks can respond to Albertans’ needs.

This allowed the province to provide culturally appropriate food, establish a program to support food banks during emergency situations, and assist food banks with covering their core operating costs.

If approved, the 2025 budget would take on the challenge of food insecurity head on by providing funding to build on the progress made over the last year.

The proposed budget also dedicated $20 million for Alberta’s school nutrition program to ensure no kid has to go to school on an empty stomach.

This would mean schools across Alberta could provide approximately 58,000 students with a daily nutritious meal.

The Budget 2025 would also provide $105 million in funding this year for the Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) program, which supports local preventative services and programming across the province in partnership with local municipalities and Métis Settlements.

With files from the Canadian Press.