Equity in Canada's food banking network: An investigation into eligibility requirements

This paper examines the operational challenges and systemic barriers within Canada's food bank network, focusing on eligibility requirements and their impact on client accessibility and dignity. Through a qualitative analysis and a review of the literature, it identified the disproportionate effects of stringent eligibility criteria on marginalized populations. It highlighted significant provincial disparities in food bank access protocols. The study underscored how current practices, especially those demanding proof of financial need or identification, complicate access and risk violating clients' dignity. Advocating for internal ID systems and a shift towards self-declaration models, the paper proposes reforms aimed at enhancing the accessibility and dignity of food banks based in rights-based approaches. These recommendations aim to address the core mission of food banks more effectively by ensuring that support is accessible and respectful to all individuals facing food insecurity, thereby contributing to a broader discourse on dignified food access and security.