In this episode of Let’s Go Together, Julia is joined by Stéphane Sirois, Executive Director of Feed New Brunswick, to explore how food banks are changing—and why more working families and seniors now rely on them just to get by.
From skyrocketing food and housing costs to the quiet role of pride and stigma—especially among older adults—Stéphane explains what he’s seeing on the front lines across New Brunswick. He breaks down the 120% surge in food bank visits, the shift from “emergency safety net” to “essential service,” and the growing strain on volunteers, infrastructure, and funding.
You’ll also hear how local partnerships (including CAA Atlantic’s donation of a fully electric food delivery van), government support, and creative solutions like mobile food banks and local farm partnerships are helping communities respond—while still keeping the long‑term goal in sight: fewer people needing food banks at all.
Whether you’ve used a food bank, donated to one, or are simply trying to understand food insecurity in your community, this episode offers a clear, grounded look at what’s happening and what we can all do to help.
We cover food security and the future of food banks from the front lines to long‑term solutions:
Chapters:00:00 – Welcome to Let’s Go Together & today’s focus on food security
00:16 – Introducing guest Stéphane Sirois and Feed New Brunswick
02:10 – From regional depot to provincial distribution network
02:55 – Why CAA Atlantic chose local food security as a priority cause
03:29 – What food insecurity looks like day to day in New Brunswick
03:57 – The new face of food bank users: working families and retirees
05:03 – Pride, stigma, and seniors who wait too long to seek help
06:45 – Four years of rising demand and post‑COVID cost pressures
07:30 – Food banks as a “temporary solution” that never went away
08:03 – How the housing crisis drives people to food banks
08:54 – 120% increase in visits and a budget jump from $350K to $6M
09:51 – Are governments listening? Turning data into support
10:12 – Using Link2Feed data to secure $9M in provincial funding
11:09 – Beyond food: infrastructure, burnout, and the volunteer crisis
12:53 – Why it’s hard to fund staff but easy to fund “stuff”
13:12 – Corporate volunteer days and the limits of charity alone
13:55 – Feed New Brunswick’s three‑level strategy to fight food insecurity
14:58 – Why “growth” is bad news in the food bank sector
15:07 – Children, newcomers, and the impact of low wages
15:56 – Minimum wage vs. living wage in New Brunswick
16:49 – When working or retired no longer guarantees enough to eat
16:54 – What people actually ask for: top food items in demand
17:22 – Cereal, peanut butter, and high‑cost proteins
18:22 – Donations, purchasing, and where dollars go the furthest
18:35 – Food recovery partnerships with major grocery retailers
19:44 – Sorting, spoilage, and how food banks fight food waste
20:15 – Overripe bananas, banana bread, and creative kitchen solutions
21:12 – Why bananas are both affordable and risky for food banks
21:57 – Do food bank visits still peak at the holidays?
22:48 – Steady demand, seasonal donations, and tough winter months
23:26 – Break: How CAA Atlantic supports safer, easier everyday journeys
24:32 – How one surprise phone call from CAA Atlantic changed everything
24:59 – Gifting a fully electric Ford Transit food delivery van
25:23 – Why an electric van fits CAA Atlantic’s mission and climate goals
26:12 – Winter tires, chargers, and co‑branding the new vehicle
26:45 – How the van is used every day and what it means on the ground
27:02 – The Feed NB 50/50 draw: “the gift that keeps the lights on”
28:09 – Life‑changing jackpots and sustainable operations funding
30:05 – How New Brunswickers can buy tickets and support Feed NB
30:46 – Donating cereal, buying tickets, and growing community support
31:20 – Food banks vs. food distribution centres: what’s the difference?
32:10 – How a provincial hub supports 69 member agencies
33:04 – Urban vs. rural food banks and who relies most on distribution
33:26 – Centralized purchasing, wholesale pricing, and advocacy power
33:58 – Looking ahead: mobile food banks and “food deserts”
34:43 – Combining boards and sharing services to cut overhead
35:49 – Collaborating across the Atlantic provinces
36:15 – Moncton as a strategic hub for Food Banks Canada
35:56 – Working with local farmers and buying in advance
36:38 – Purchase guarantees and direct‑to‑food‑bank deliveries
37:40 – “Dirty carrots,” fresh potatoes, and learning to cook from scratch
38:39 – What Stéphane wants listeners to take away: food is everyone’s responsibility
38:47 – How individuals, companies, and governments can each do their part
38:53 – Volunteering, food drives, and neighbours helping neighbours
39:05 – Former clients returning as volunteers and community builders
39:54 – Food banks as “informal social workers” and community hubs
41:04 – Rapid‑fire: the biggest misconception about food banks
41:43 – What Stéphane would change first: wages and social programs
42:39 – Building a more resilient, local food system in Atlantic Canada
42:46 – Rapid‑fire: dream cars, Toyotas, and realistic vs. “Ferrari” dreams
43:48 – Favourite CAA benefit and the peace of mind of membership
44:46 – Final thoughts: we want a world where food banks aren’t needed
45:20 – If you need help, go—there is no shame in asking
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