Presbyterian World Service & Development
Presbyterian World Service & Development joins the Foodgrains Bank.
Marking 40 years of working to end global hunger
Life begins at 40!
2023 marks 40 years of Canadian Foodgrains Bank member churches and church agencies working together to end hunger.
Take a trip through our history to discover some of the highlights from our 40-year history.
1992
1994
Foodgrains Bank’s work encompasses food security
The mandate is broadened to include food security—helping people to become more resilient so they can better overcome disasters and food crises and develop long-term, sustainable livelihoods.
1996
Response in North Korea
Famine conditions in North Korea prompts the Foodgrains Bank to provide over 81,000 tonnes of food and other assistance over seven years.
The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army joins the Foodgrains Bank.
1998
Foodgrains Bank members respond to Hurricane Mitch
Foodgrains Bank members respond to devastation in Nicaragua, Honduras and Guatemala.
1999
Foodgrains Bank increases policy and public engagement work
Policy work seeks to engage governments and institutions in the work of ending hunger via advoacy and dialogue. Public engagement educates and involves the Canadian public in the work of ending hunger.
2001
Nutrition programming begins
Nutrition programs targeting the first two years of life are key to avoiding the cycle of ongoing poverty and hunger.
2003
Ethiopia drought
Foodgrains Bank members responds to the drought in Ethiopia.
2005
Canadian government partially unties food aid
Advocacy led by the Foodgrains Bank results in the Canadian government allowing 50 percent of government food aid funds to be used to buy food closer to areas of need in the developing world. This is known as ‘untying’ food aid.
2006
Conservation agriculture programming
The first conservation agriculture project is implemented by The United Church of Canada through local partner Christian Care in Zimbabwe.
2007
Canadian Catholic Organization for Development & Peace
Canadian Catholic Organization for Development & Peace (now Development and Peace–Caritas Canada) joins the Foodgrains Bank.
Primate’s World Relief Development Fund
Primate’s World Relief Development Fund (Anglican Church of Canada) joins the Foodgrains Bank, bringing membership to 15.
2008
Canadian government completely unties food aid
Foodgrains Bank is allowed to use all government funds to buy food in the developing world.
2009
Climate change effects examined
The Foodgrains Bank investigates the effects that climate change is having on smallholder farmers in countries where it works.
2010
Canadian government prioritizes food security
With urging from the Foodgrains Bank, the government makes food security one of its aid program’s three priorities.
2011
Major emergency food response in East Africa
The Foodgrains Bank responds to a major food emergency, including famine in parts of Somalia.