Food Banks Alberta is seeking corporate food donations and financial support after its provincial warehouse reached critically low inventory during a year of sharply increased demand.

The association collects purchased and donated food, stores it at its Leduc-area warehouse and distributes it to 112 member food banks across Alberta.

That network includes volunteer-run organizations in small rural and remote communities that may have limited access to large donors, bulk purchasing and transportation.

Food Banks Alberta distributed 3,368,534 pounds of food to member organizations in 2025.

During the first six months of 2026, it shipped nearly 90 per cent of that full-year amount, according to information provided by the association.

Outbound volume in August was 32.8 per cent higher than in August 2025.

The increase has coincided with a drop in the usual flow of donated products into the provincial warehouse. Food has therefore been leaving faster than corporate donations have replaced it.

The association has described the current inventory level as unprecedented for its warehouse.

Food Banks Alberta does not normally provide hampers directly to individuals. It operates as a shared supply and support organization for local food banks, which then serve people in their own communities.

When a member food bank cannot meet demand with local donations, it can request products from the provincial warehouse. The system also moves surplus food between communities and helps reduce the transportation and purchasing burden carried by smaller organizations.

A shortage at the central warehouse does not mean every local food bank has run out of food. Inventory, client demand and urgent product needs differ from one community to another.

It does mean the provincial network has less capacity to respond when a local organization needs additional stock.

The association is asking businesses, food producers, distributors and other organizations to consider donations of usable products, including surplus inventory. Financial contributions can help cover bulk purchases, storage and transportation.

Demand on food banks has risen as food, housing and other household costs remain high. The provincial association says employed people and families are among the groups increasingly seeking support when income does not cover basic expenses.

Rural food banks face additional pressures because donated products can be farther away and transportation costs can consume a larger share of limited budgets.

The current appeal is focused on rebuilding the provincial warehouse while member food banks prepare for autumn and the year-end holiday period, when demand and donation campaigns often increase.