Leduc Food Bank distributes more than 731,000 lbs of food in 2025

LEDUC COUNTY -- The Leduc and District Food Bank distributed more than 731,000 lbs of food last year. 

This is according to the organization's 2025 annual report, which shows that nearly 1,100 families across Leduc County accessed local food hampers last year. Of the 731,000 lbs of food distributed throughout the region, 425,010 lbs was handed out in the City of Leduc, 87,857 in Beaumont, 53,467 in Devon, and 40,706 in the rural county. 

One of the most noteworthy statistics from the report is the number of children accessing food banks in Leduc County. In municipalities such as Warburg and Calmar, there was almost an equal split between adults and children seeking food. This comes as children accounted for 33 per cent of all food bank visits across Canada in 2025, while in Alberta, more than one-third of visits were for children under 18. Gert Reynar, Director of the Leduc and District Food Bank, says the need for their services has never been higher.

"The cost of keeping our doors open has also risen," said Reynar. "Like the families we serve, the food bank is feeling the squeeze of inflation with food, fuel, and utilities. We are working harder and leaner to ensure every dollar goes further."

Another one of the surprising stats from the 2025 was the percentage of local food bank users who were fully employed. Last year, 38 per cent of the people who accessed food banks across Leduc County said they had full-time employment, while another 38 per cent received benefits from CPP, EI, AISH, or WCB. Single adults and single parents made up 64 per cent of food bank visits across the county last year.

Some of the Leduc and District Food Bank's highlights from last year included the 'United Way Tools for School' program, bread and produce baskets, the new school bagged lunch program, and snack attack.

In 2025, Alberta recorded the fastest-surging food bank demand, with visits increasing by 21.8 per cent over the prior year. This marked the largest increase in the country. Total visits hit roughly 210,000 per month, with over 75,000 for children. Since 2019, it's reported that the overall demand in Alberta has increased by over 134 per cent. Some of this has been attributed to the rising costs of housing, leaving little left over for food budgets.