One in three Canadians skip meals due to grocery costs, Salvation Army report finds

A new report from The Salvation Army indicates that food insecurity is rising in Canada. According to The Salvation Army’s 2026 Canadian Poverty and Socioeconomic Analysis, 31 per cent of 1,525 Canadians surveyed skipped meals or reduced portion sizes because they could not afford groceries. This is an increase from 27 per cent reported last year.

Impact on younger Canadians

The findings indicate that younger Canadians are facing greater financial pressure. The report states that 41 per cent of Canadians aged 18-34 reported skipping or reducing meals due to grocery costs. Within this same age group, 23 per cent accessed community food supports, compared to 15 per cent in 2025. Additionally, 76 per cent of Canadians aged 18-34 reported challenges managing limited financial resources, while 55 per cent of those aged 55 and older reported the same.

Housing and trade concerns

The survey also highlighted concerns regarding housing and international trade. According to the report:

• 50 per cent of Canadians said they are not confident they could find another suitable, affordable home in their community if they had to move.
• 24 per cent of Canadians spend at least half of their after-tax household income on housing.
• 89 per cent of respondents are concerned that proposed U.S. tariffs will increase prices for everyday goods.
• 60 per cent of respondents said their household has already felt a financial impact from U.S. tariffs or trade disputes.

Community support and charitable giving

While 83 per cent of support-service users reported that accessing services improved their family's wellbeing, the report notes a decline in charitable participation. The proportion of Canadians reporting monetary donations fell from 79 per cent in 2025 to 75 per cent in 2026. Participation in three or more charitable activities also declined from 65 per cent to 60%.

Why it matters

As food and housing costs rise, more Canadians are turning to community resources. Harvest Manitoba in Winnipeg reports it serves approximately 60,000 people per month, with half of those being children, which Meaghan Erbus, VP of advocacy and stakeholder relations, says is 50 per cent more than what the organization has seen since 2021.

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Sources

• ctvnews.ca: Grocery prices: Salvation Army 2026 survey results
• salvationarmy.ca: Salvation Army Report Finds Nearly One in Three Canadians Skipping Meals as Food Insecurity Hits Four-Year High - The Salvation Army
• redfm.ca: Nearly one in three Canadians skipping meals as food insecurity reaches four-year high: Salvation Army report

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.