FCC Drive Away Hunger Reduces Food Waste and Supports Families

Feb 25, 2026
By Farms.com

Drive Away Hunger partners donate 635 million meals across Canada

Farm Credit Canada (FCC) announced that partners involved in the Drive Away Hunger initiative donated 635 million meals in 2025, helping families across Canada access nutritious food while reducing food waste. The program continues to play an important role in supporting communities facing food insecurity.

“Food insecurity affects our families, neighbors and communities. These donations are not just statistics,” said Justine Hendricks, FCC president and CEO. “They can represent the difference between going to bed hungry and having food on the table, and they leave money for other essentials like rent, heat, or a child’s winter coat. The goal is to make sure food that would otherwise go to waste reaches family tables where it is needed.”

Food insecurity remains a serious concern in Canada. Reports show that more than 10 million people live in households that do not always have enough food, including nearly one in three children. Data from Food Banks Canada also shows that food bank use increased by 5.2 per cent, with many working families relying on assistance due to rising living costs.

Each year, producers, processors, distributors, retailers, and food companies work together to redirect surplus food that might otherwise be wasted. In 2025, the donated meals were valued at more than $2.25 billion, equal to approximately 63 meals per person annually. These efforts help reduce food loss while supporting families in need.

Food rescue organizations such as Second Harvest and FoodMesh help coordinate the redistribution process. They match food donors with local charities and community groups and manage transportation and logistics to ensure food reaches communities safely and quickly.

Drive Away Hunger has operated for more than 20 years as a year-round program and continues to welcome new partners. FCC is one of over 100 participating organizations and contributed more than six million meals in the past year through donations, food waste partnerships, and employee giving programs.

The success of Drive Away Hunger shows how strong partnerships across the agriculture and food sector can address food insecurity while improving sustainability. By working together, industry partners continue to support families and strengthen communities across Canada.

Photo Credit: pexels-julia-m-cameron

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