In Ottawa, more than 1 in 4 households cannot afford enough to eat. Last year, 558,866 visits were made to food programs in the city, double the amount since 2019. We are at a systemic breaking point, and the time for collective action is now.
The 2026 Ottawa Food Security Conference themed Confronting a Crisis, Securing Our Future will bring together cross-sectoral leaders, advocates, people with lived and living experience, and supporters. Together, we will explore a range of solutions to food insecurity – from community-based and community-derived responses to those that reframe how we understand and address the root causes of food insecurity.
The conference will be a vital space for dialogue, learning, and connection. Attendees will learn with and from food security stakeholders across sectors and community members with lived experience. We hope to inspire collaboration amongst all parties to accomplish more together. Above all, we seek to continue this work beyond the conference with informed next steps to take action individually and collectively.
Thank you for building a food secure Ottawa!
Date: Wednesday, April 15, 2026
Time: All Day – 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET
Location: Ottawa Conference & Event Centre, 200 Coventry Road, Ottawa, ON K1K 4S3
Format: In-person with a choice of sessions and workshops
Language: The event will take place in English, with simultaneous interpretation in French.
8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. – Breakfast, Refreshments, Yoga
9 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. – Opening Remarks
9:15 a.m. to 9:40 a.m. – Plenary Session
9:40 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. – Lightning Talks
10:45 a.m. to 12 p.m. – Breakout Sessions
12 p.m. to 1 p.m. – Lunch
1 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. – Re-energizing Session
1:15 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. – Breakout Sessions
2:30 pm. To 3 p.m. – Break
3 p.m. to 4 p.m. – Closing Speaker & Conclusion
The Ottawa Conference & Event Centre is located in the Courtyard by Marriott Ottawa East. The venue can beeached by OC Transpo, Para Transpo, and car. It is less than one minute from the highway (417), VIA Rail Train Station, and the LRT. It is also under 20 minutes from the airport and 5 minutes to the centre of the city.
The venue is fully accessible space that can be reached by OC Transpo, Para Transpo, and car. There is complimentary parking and Wi-Fi, and food and beverages will be provided throughout the day.
If you require an accessibility-related accommodation, please let us know on this registration form or contact Anne Millar, (Officer, Data and Research) at anne.millar@ottawafoodbank.ca. Any details provided about personal access needs will be used to make the event as accessible as possible. All details will be kept private.
If you have lived experience of food insecurity and feel comfortable self-identifying, please select the ticket type labeled “Person with Lived Experience.” All information will be kept confidential.
Note: The event will take place in English, with simultaneous interpretation in French.
Breakout Sessions
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Stay tuned to learn more!
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Meet the Speakers
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