Burlington, Ontario is coming together throughout September as the Burlington Food Bank marks Hunger Action Month with community events aimed at addressing growing food insecurity. The month-long awareness campaign kicked off with a flag raising at City Hall on September 1 and continues with the annual Orchard Community Picnic on Saturday, September 12 from 12pm to 4pm at Orchard Community Park.
The Burlington Food Bank currently supports 5,660 people at its main location alone, with hundreds more served through partnering Mini Markets. According to the Burlington Food Bank, demand has risen sharply in recent years. Ontario has seen food bank usage increase for the ninth consecutive year, with more than one million people making 8.7 million visits between April 2024 and March 2025, according to Feed Ontario.
Across the region, approximately one in five (20 per cent) of Halton residents experience food insecurity, and food assistance program usage jumped 25 percent from 2023 to 2024, according to FeedHalton. Nationally, food bank visits have doubled since March 2019, with nearly 2.2 million visits in March 2025 alone.
The Burlington Food Bank has been serving residents since 1991 and relies on more than 250 active volunteers who help provide fresh and nutritious food to neighbours in need. Residents can support the organization by volunteering, attending the Orchard Community Picnic, or donating during Hunger Action Month events throughout September.
