More people struggling to put food on table in Mount Forest
MOUNT FOREST – Filling a grocery cart with food is increasingly expensive, and people in Mount Forest are among those feeling the pinch, with more and more turning to the local food bank for support.
In 2025, the entirely volunteer-run charity provided food to 1,005 children and 1,779 adults. That’s about half of Mount Forest’s population (which sat at 5,040 in 2021).
The Mount Forest Community Pantry (MFCP) currently supports 280 households, all within 10km of Mount Forest.
During the last few months of 2025, 46 new clients registered, with a notable increase in single-person households, MFCP officials reported in a June 22 presentation for Wellington North council.
And early data for this year shows demand is continuing to grow, with 46 per cent more people served in the early months of 2026 than 2025.
The pantry’s costs are rising too – it spent 18% more on food in 2025 than in 2024, and 41% more in the early months of 2026 than during the same period in 2025.
“Due to continued rising grocery costs and growing client registrations the pantry is projecting a potential 32% increase in costs for 2026,” officials state in the presentation.
Its fixed operating expenses neared $22,500 in 2025 ($15,925 for rent, $2,966 for utilities, $1,195 for phone and internet and $2,348 for insurance).
For 2026, officials expect this to grow to $23,488 before HST ($16,788 for rent, $3,000 for utilities, $1,300 for phone and internet and $2,400 for insurance).
The pantry’s current lease expires in July 2027, and officials are considering moving somewhere that better meets community needs. They’re looking for a larger space to accommodate rising food insecurity, improved accessibility for clients with disabilities, and a secondary/back entrance and additional storage capacity.
The pantry has served Mount Forest for 30 years and the non-profit is run by a team of 30 volunteers who support clients, procure food, manage inventory and coordinate operations.
Clients book monthly visits to pick up food hampers from the pantry, with additional support between visits as needed.
The MFCP is funded by grants and donations, which this year included:
- $1,000 and a $10,000 commitment from Wellington North Township;
- $2,000 from Wellington County; and
-$9,747 from Kindred Credit Union.
The pantry has recently appointed a volunteer to work as a fundraising organizer focused on increasing community awareness and public fundraising.
Pantry donations can be dropped off at NoFrills and Foodland in Mount Forest, or by appointment at the food bank by calling 6519-323-9218. Monetary donations can be made at canadahelps.org/en/charities/the-community-pantry/ or sent via etransfer to mfcommunitypantry@hotmail.com.
