The face of hunger in Calgary is changing dramatically, with a startling revelation that nearly half of food bank clients now hold full-time employment—a stark illustration of how inflation and housing costs have created a new class of working poor in Alberta’s economic hub.
According to a comprehensive survey released Tuesday by the Calgary Food Bank, 45% of their clients report being employed full-time, while an additional 26% work part-time positions. These numbers paint a troubling picture of economic vulnerability extending far beyond traditionally marginalized groups.
“We’re seeing people who never imagined needing a food bank suddenly finding themselves in our lineup,” explained Calgary Food Bank CEO Melissa From. “These are individuals working 40 hours a week who still can’t make ends meet after paying rent and utilities.”
The survey, which collected responses from over 3,000 food bank users between February and April, revealed that nearly 80% of clients cited food costs as their primary challenge, while 61% pointed to housing expenses as a major burden.
Calgary’s rental market has experienced significant pressure, with average rents climbing 15.2% year-over-year according to recent market analyses. Combined with grocery inflation that has consistently outpaced general inflation rates, many working Calgarians find themselves making impossible choices between paying bills and putting food on the table.
The demographic breakdown further challenges stereotypes about food insecurity. While new Canadians represent a significant portion of food bank users, the survey showed 38% of clients were born in Canada, with 28% having lived in the country for over five years.
“What we’re witnessing is a fundamental shift in who needs support,” said Susan Reynolds, a social policy researcher at Mount Royal University who reviewed the findings. “Food insecurity is moving up the economic ladder, affecting people with steady employment and education who simply cannot stretch their dollars far enough in today’s economy.”
Perhaps most concerning is the duration of need. The survey found that 55% of respondents had been accessing food bank services for more than six months, indicating that food insecurity has become a chronic condition rather than a temporary emergency for many Calgary households.
Municipal leaders have acknowledged the growing crisis, with Councillor Terry Wong noting that “food security is becoming a public policy issue that requires coordination between all levels of government.” The city recently approved additional funding for community food security initiatives, though critics argue much more substantive intervention is needed.
As Calgary continues to promote itself as an affordable alternative to Toronto and Vancouver, these findings raise important questions about the true cost of living in the city. With nearly one in ten Calgarians now reporting some form of food insecurity, according to Statistics Canada data, the issue represents a growing social and economic challenge.
For working Calgarians like James Mendoza, a warehouse employee and father of two who recently began using the food bank, the situation feels particularly demoralizing. “I work overtime whenever I can get it, but we still run out of money before the month ends,” he explained. “I never thought I’d be in this position with a steady job.”
As prices continue climbing faster than wages in many sectors, how will our communities redefine what constitutes economic security when even full-time employment no longer guarantees the ability to meet basic needs?
