Addressing Food Insecurity in Muskoka – May 2026 Newsletter
- May 28, 2026
- 4 min read
A growing number of Muskoka residents are finding it difficult to put food on the table.
Canada’s Food Price Report 2026 estimates that families will spend up to $994 more on groceries this year, and one in four Canadian households is now considered food insecure. In a region where the cost of living is high and seasonal work is the norm, increasing food prices are another strain on an already challenging reality for many families.
This month, we are highlighting three charities working to address food insecurity, and the donors who are helping them do it.
Tackling Food Insecurity in Muskoka
Food4Kids Muskoka Receives $3,000 From the Lake of Bays Community Fund
Over 1,000 children in Muskoka go hungry each weekend.
Food4Kids Muskoka’s “Weekends Without Hunger” program aims to change that by providing packages of healthy food to ensure children have nourishment over the weekend. As food insecurity grows, this program has become a critical support for many families in Muskoka.
The Lake of Bays Community Fund recently granted $3,000 to support this essential work. We are grateful to the donors who give to the Lake of Bays Community Fund because they care about their community’s well-being.
Community Donations Raise $15,000 for Manna Food Bank
Our community sure knows how to work together!
Our Executive Director, Mary Ellen, recently dropped by the Manna Food Bank with a $15,000 cheque from the Paul and Ruby Erb Fund. This contribution matched donations from two community fundraisers: Manna’s Annual Civic Holiday Food Drive, held at Stevens’ Your Independent Grocer and Food Basics ($10,000), and its inaugural Tee Off Against Hunger Golf Tournament at South Muskoka Curling and Golf Club ($5,000).
We are grateful to the Paul and Ruby Erb Fund for its ongoing support of Manna Food Bank and its programs. As an annual donor to the food bank’s food drive, the fund helps our neighbours access food amid rising living costs.
$15,000 Raised Because of the Power of Community
Winter hit hard last year, and the West Muskoka Food Bank felt it.
Two harsh winter storms – one bringing 8 feet of snow, and the other coating the area in ice – left the food bank without power for days. Food spoiled, causing a major setback for a food bank already trying to keep up with a growing demand for food assistance.
The West Muskoka Food Bank needed a generator, but as anyone who has dealt with generators knows, they are expensive.
Solving this problem became a community effort between multiple partners and donors. The Lowden Family Fund donated $10,000 toward the generator’s cost. The Feed Muskoka Fund, which supports food security initiatives across the region, contributed $5,000. The Township of Muskoka Lakes covered the installation costs because the food bank is located on township property.
Now, after a year of coordination and collaboration, we are excited to share that the West Muskoka Food Bank’s generator is connected and ready! No matter what Mother Nature brings, families will still have access to food when they need it.
This is the power of community!
Invest in Food Security Solutions
You can help address food insecurity in our Muskoka communities by investing in sustainable, innovative solutions. The Feed Muskoka Fund supports our 10 local food banks in Muskoka, as well as multiple food insecurity programs that operate across our region. The fund aims to bridge gaps in our current system by supporting initiatives focused on local food production, food rescue, skill development, and more.
