Food Insecurity in Durham Region: Latest Statistics & Impact

Food insecurity in Durham Region has continued to rise at an extraordinary pace. Recent data from Feed the Need in Durham shows that demand across the regional food-support network is far higher than it was only a few years ago.

Food insecurity in Durham Region: the latest picture

Feed the Need in Durham’s latest 2024–2025 reporting shows the scale of the challenge facing our community. In 2024–2025, nearly 900,000 visits were made to programs within the Feed the Need in Durham network — a 28% increase over the previous year.

FTND also reports that food bank visits in Durham Region have increased by more than 250% since 2020, while an estimated 1 in 4 households in Durham Region are food insecure.

These numbers represent neighbours, families, seniors, workers and individuals throughout Durham who are trying to manage rising housing, food and other essential costs.

Why food insecurity is about more than food

Food insecurity means not having reliable financial access to enough nutritious food. It is closely connected to household income and the cost of necessities such as housing, transportation, utilities and medication.

When household budgets are stretched, food is often one of the few expenses that can be reduced in the short term. That can force people to make difficult choices between groceries and other essentials.

Demand has changed dramatically

The growth in food-support use is not simply a continuation of an old problem. Durham Region has experienced a major shift in demand. FTND’s latest figures show both the rapid growth in visits and the increasing pressure on the community organizations responding to that need.

Higher demand also affects the charitable food network itself. More visits mean more food must be sourced, transported, stored and distributed, while organizations are also managing higher operating and food costs.

DAO Market’s role in the regional response

Durham Alliance Outreach began its food-support program as DAO Pantry in 2021. In 2026, the program evolved into DAO Market, a choice-based food-support program working in partnership with Feed the Need in Durham.

The market model gives people greater choice over the food they take home. This helps support dignity, accommodate different household needs and preferences, and reduce food waste by allowing people to select items they are more likely to use.

DAO Market is part of a much larger regional network. Addressing food insecurity requires collaboration among community organizations, governments, funders, donors, businesses and residents — alongside broader work on the underlying economic conditions that cause households to experience food insecurity in the first place.

How the community can help

• Donate food and essential items. High-demand staples help DAO Market respond to weekly community need.
• Make a financial donation. Financial support gives DAO flexibility to respond to changing program and community needs. Donate to DAO.
• Volunteer. Food-support programs depend on people who receive, sort, stock and distribute food and help create a welcoming experience.
• Organize a food or fund drive. Community groups, workplaces and local businesses can mobilize their networks to help.
• Advocate for long-term solutions. Emergency food programs are important, but reducing food insecurity also requires addressing income, affordability and other systemic causes.

Understanding the numbers

Statistics in this article are based on Feed the Need in Durham’s 2024–2025 reporting and describe activity and food insecurity across Durham Region and the FTND network; they should not be interpreted as DAO Market statistics alone.

Source: Feed the Need in Durham — 2024–2025 Impact Report.

As demand changes, DAO will continue updating our community with current information about food insecurity, DAO Market and the ways people can help.