Several Canadian provinces plan to sell leftover U.S.-made alcohol removed from shelves earlier this year and donate proceeds to food banks and charities. Prince Edward Island expects about $434,000, while Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia have advanced $500,000 and $4 million respectively — Nova Scotia could recoup up to $14 million. Manitoba will distribute its stock through private retailers and restaurants and expects roughly $500,000 for community groups. The announcement has also triggered a shopper rush for popular U.S. labels.
Canadian Provinces Turn Leftover U.S. Liquor Into Millions For Food Banks
Several Canadian provinces are preparing to sell remaining stocks of American-made alcohol that were removed from store shelves earlier this year in response to U.S. tariffs — and will donate the proceeds to local food banks and charities.
Details Of The Program
In February, some provinces pulled U.S. liquor from retail shelves after the Trump administration imposed a 25% tariff on certain Canadian goods. More than ten months later, retailers and provincial stores still hold leftover inventory. Rather than letting the stock sit idle, several provinces are converting the alcohol into charitable funds.
Prince Edward Island expects to raise approximately $434,000 from sales. Newfoundland and Labrador has already advanced $500,000 to 60 provincial food banks prior to selling the inventory. Nova Scotia provided a $4 million upfront payment to food-access groups and could potentially recoup up to $14 million when sales are completed.
Manitoba is taking a different approach by distributing its inventory through private retailers and restaurants; officials estimate this will net roughly $500,000 for food banks, charities and other community groups. Meanwhile, Alberta and Saskatchewan continue to sell U.S.-made alcohol openly at retail.
Public Reaction
Reports say the announcement prompted a buying surge as shoppers sought to purchase favored U.S. labels before supplies run out. "Our joke was that the only thing more popular than taking U.S. booze off the shelves was putting U.S. booze back on the shelves," Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew said. "People are stocking up."
Context: U.S. Alcohol Exports
U.S.-made wine, beer and whiskey are major export earners. For example, California exports more than $1 billion in wine, Tennessee exports over $914 million in whiskey, and Georgia leads U.S. beer exports at more than $99 million — figures that underscore why U.S. alcohol is both commercially important and popular with Canadian consumers.
The provinces say the sales are intended to convert idle inventory into immediate support for food-access organizations while allowing consumers one last opportunity to buy familiar brands.
