Multi-year funding agreement to support food banks

Release

Department of Health, Department of Social Development

June 08, 2026

MONCTON (GNB) – The government is providing $9 million over three years to Feed NB to supply food banks across the province.

“Through this agreement, we’re giving Feed NB the predictability it needs to continue supporting food banks and community kitchens that families across New Brunswick rely on,” said Health Minister John Dornan. “With food bank use rising in recent years, this investment will help meet growing demand and expand access to healthy, local food in communities throughout the province.”

Feed NB, a non-profit organization, collects and stores food, which it then distributes to 68 partner agencies across the province, including food banks and community kitchens.

The government has provided emergency funding to Feed NB in varying amounts since 2021 in response to extenuating circumstances, including the COVID-19 pandemic and pressures related to inflation.

The new agreement provides Feed NB with $2.75 million for 2026-27 (which includes $458,000 provided in February), $3 million for 2027-28, and $3.25 million for 2028-29.

This funding will help the organization respond to increased demand and expand the distribution of healthy, local food to food banks and community kitchens.

"For years, our food banks and community kitchens have operated under uncertainty, not knowing what resources they could count on from one year to the next,” said Feed NB executive director Stéphane Sirois. “This multi-year commitment changes that. It helps provide Feed NB and member agencies some stability to plan, to purchase food with confidence, and to keep the doors open for the thousands of families and individuals who have nowhere else to turn."

The agreement will be assessed after three years to determine if it is still meeting the need.

“This agreement helps meet urgent needs right now,” said Social Development Minister Cindy Miles. “But I know, for many families, the pressure of rising costs and food insecurity can feel unrelenting. We’re committed to continuing this work with partners across government to build longer-term solutions that ease those burdens and make life more affordable.”

In addition to the new funding for Feed NB, the Department of Health will continue to offer grants to Feed NB member organizations through its community food resource support program. Applications are accepted annually for the grants, which can be used to support food purchasing and operational costs.

08-06-26

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