Examining food insecurity among food bank members in Greater Vancouver

Background: Few studies have described predictors of severe food insecurity among food bank users. A survey of 77 Vancouver food bank members assessed sociodemographic characteristics, food bank use, and household food insecurity (HFI). Fisher’s exact tests explored associations between member characteristics and severe HFI.Results: Participants reported low incomes and 84% relied on social assistance. On average, members used food banks twice per month, 54% were long-term users (>5 years) and 66% reported severe HFI. Neither frequency nor duration of food bank use was significantly associated with severe HFI. This study supports growing evidence that food bank use does not ameliorate severe HFI.