Local businesses and food banks in the Niagara region are helping tackle the growing food insecurity in the region by working together with the community and donating food to the people who need help.

Cooks Who Feed, founded by resident Seema Sanghavi, donates meals to people in need for every apron it sells. The organization works with Second Harvest in Canada and No Kid Hungry in the U.S. Its founder, Seema Sanghavi, was inspired by her own childhood experience with food insecurity after her family immigrated from India. She started the company to create a more responsible, purpose-driven brand in the kitchen space. In the past six years, Cooks Who Feed has helped provide more than two million meals and has partnered with well-known chefs, food influencers, and Niagara wineries to grow its impact.

The number of households using a Niagara food bank has tripled, reaching record levels in 2024 and 2025. Experts believe the situation is not likely to improve anytime soon, as rising rent, higher living costs, and increasing food prices are putting more pressure on families and individuals across the region.

Community Care of St. Catharines and Thorold says its programs have helped provide food for more than 275,000 meals during this time. CEO Betty-Lou Souter explained that each household served means about 10 people get fed, including homeless individuals who use daily meal services and seniors who receive monthly food deliveries. The organization is seeing more seniors and children than ever before, with kids now making up about one-third of clients and many asking for food instead of gifts during the holidays.

Source: Diona Macalinga, CBC