“In a region of just over 19,000 people, we’re supporting more than 2,000 community members every month through our food programs — that’s about 11 per cent of the Battlefords and surrounding area,” said Erin Katerynych, Foodbank Executive Director. “It really shows how many of our neighbours are relying on this support, and how important it is that we keep showing up for one another.”
Erika Ritchie, Saskatchewan NDP Saskatoon Nutana MLA, says the sharp rise in food bank use is a direct result of the Sask. Party’s failure to support families struggling with skyrocketing costs of living.
“When seniors who’ve worked their whole lives are now standing in foodbank lines, something is deeply wrong,” Ritchie said. “After 18 years of the Sask. Party, people can’t afford their prescriptions, their rent, or their groceries. Saskatchewan families deserve better.”
Katerynych added, “At one time, we mainly supported people on social assistance. Today we’re seeing working families who just can’t make ends meet. Food costs are up, rent is up but wages are not.”
At the same time prices have doubled for many foods, forcing the food bank to cut back on the amount it provides the community’s most vulnerable children.
“The Sask. Party should be ashamed that in Saskatchewan — a province that feeds the world — more and more children are going hungry,” said Ritchie. “No child should ever go to bed hungry because this out-of-touch government refuses to provide the support families need.”
Across the province, the picture is grim. According to Food Banks Canada’s HungerCount 2025, Saskatchewan has seen a massive increase in food bank — up nearly 50 per cent since Scott Moe became Premier.
More than anywhere else in Canada, people in Saskatchewan are falling behind: three-quarters say they’re stressed about money, and more than half say they struggle to feed their families.
“If this government truly cared about helping Saskatchewan families, they’d cut their tax on groceries and children’s clothing — but they refuse,” Ritchie said. “That should tell you everything about their priorities.”
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