Author Archives: Michelle Rowe-Jardine

  1. Community Advocacy Group: Fighting poverty from the ground up!

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    Community Advocacy Group: Fighting poverty from the ground up!

    What do you think is the most important issue leading to food bank use? What could help solve that issue? 

    These were the questions we’ve been asking people who come to our food banks over the summer. We wanted to hear about the biggest challenges leading to food insecurity in our community from the people living it – and we wanted to hear what they think should be done about it too. 

    Over the past four months, hundreds of people shared their experiences at our local food banks, and over a hundred people attended one of five workshops to dive deeper into the issues.

    Here’s what we learned: 

    • Housing and the cost of rent was consistently the biggest challenge in people’s lives. This is consistent with our research at NYHFB that shows that once people pay their rent they have very little – if any at all – to spend on food and other necessities. 
    • Food prices, wages, employment, social assistance rates and pensions were among the other top issues prevalent in people’s lives. 

    But we didn’t just discuss the challenges. We also talked about solutions and what we can do to make those solutions a reality, and that’s where things got really exciting. Despite all the challenges our community is facing, people are abundantly clear: not only are we ready for change but we’re ready to take action to make it happen! 

    That’s how our Community Action Group got started — a NYHFB Advocacy Group aimed at tackling the root causes of poverty and hunger from the ground up. Now, we’re getting ready to take action for real change and long-term solutions for our community.  Together we’ll be fighting for rent control, affordable housing and food prices, fair wages, increased social assistance rates and more!

    Interested in joining us? Contact pamela@northyorkharvest.com!

    Three adults and a child sit around a table. The adults are engaged in a lively discussion.

  2. Food for Thought: How social enterprise supports student nutrition

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    Food for Thought: A social enterprise support for student nutrition

    In our Food for Thought series, individuals within North York Harvest Food Bank will share their experience in matters pertaining to food insecurity and poverty. This series will share ideas, perspectives, and lessons learned as we work toward our vision of a community where all members are able to meet their food needs.

    Written by Lianne Holland, Manager of FoodReach

    Last week I got an email from a North York school that said: “we only have $1900 of funding left for our snack program, which will last about a week. Can FoodReach help?” 

    Sadly, this is a common problem for schools. Student Nutrition Programs (SNPs) are struggling to provide adequate food with their current funding. 

    In a recent CBC article, the Ontario Student Nutrition Program Southwest Region shared that “their portion of the $5 million in funding meant $4.29 for each participating student for the entire school year. One healthy snack costs $1.50 on average. Right now, steep increases in food inflation are putting added pressure on already extremely tight budgets.” 

    SNPs play a critical role in a student’s learning and development, as well as food security. It’s estimated that the National School Food Policy will save families with two children up to $800 a year on food costs, and families need it.  

    In July of 2024, North York Harvest saw nearly 30,000 visits to our food banks sites – a 130% increase from the same time in 2019. 

    And 27% of this year’s visits were children and youth, that’s more than 1 in 4 people visiting our food banks. 

    To put it simply, an unprecedented number of kids in Toronto are hungry. 

    Child and youth hunger has a profound impact on learning outcomes, which has a domino effect on the rest of their lives.

    NYH is addressing this hunger crisis through a wrap-around strategy that includes emergency food access, advocacy efforts, and our FoodReach program.

    FoodReach, North York Harvest’s social enterprise, is a non-profit food supplier and logistics service that specializes in selling food to the emergency food access sector and public institutions. We leverage the collective purchasing volume of these sectors to lower food costs, generate a long-term food solution, and strengthen community wealth building. 

    In 2023, FoodReach serviced 197 customers across the Greater Toronto Hamilton Area and 65%  were child and youth programs.

    By leveraging the collective purchasing power of these programs, FoodReach has continuously lowered the cost of food for student nutrition programs across Toronto. On average, we have lowered the cost of snacks by 15% compared to prices from standard retailers. 

    Whether student nutrition programs have stretched budgets, or are fully funded, FoodReach will continue to work on lowering food costs and stretching SNP dollars further so students can focus on learning at school, and so families can trust that their kids are eating nourishing food.

  3. North York Harvest Partners with Canadian Tire to Expand Leadership in Logistics Program

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    North York Harvest Food Bank Partners with Canadian Tire Corporation to Expand Leadership in Logistics Program

    North York Harvest Food Bank is excited to announce its partnership with Canadian Tire Corporation (CTC) on the Leadership in Logistics (LIL) training program. Together we are providing innovative training and employment opportunities to those struggling with food insecurity.

    The LIL program, developed at North York Harvest, is a four-week paid internship that equips participants with essential skills in warehouse logistics, inventory management and forklift operations, empowering them to secure stable jobs.

    By creating pathways to sustainable employment, the program reduces food bank reliance and drives lasting, systemic change in the community.

    “Toronto is facing an unprecedented crisis of affordability, poverty, and food insecurity. North York Harvest is seeing record levels of food bank usage,” says North York Harvest Executive Director Ryan Noble.

    “We understand that free food is only a temporary fix and that traditional charitable models fall short of solving prolonged food insecurity. We have consistently advocated for a holistic approach to supporting individuals struggling with poverty towards truly sustainable livelihoods.”

    Since its launch in 2023, more than 80% of participants have successfully completed the program and have secured full-time employment.

    “The program has impacted my life so well,” recent graduate Moses says. “I had nowhere to start from, I was new here and had no hope. Even some people I met when I came here, they have not yet found work, so for me I got so lucky with the program and I feel so blessed.”

    This partnership demonstrates how a charity and a for-profit business can work together to foster lasting and sustainable change in our community. Read the full press release here.

  4. Flood protection funding is a community victory!

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    Flood protection funding is a community victory!

    On July 16, North York Harvest Food Bank was hit hard by a devastating flood that resulted in a power outage, infrastructure damage, and $20,000 of spoiled food.

    Our community has faced terrible floods before, and we knew it wasn’t if, but when it would happen again.

    Several of our partner agencies and countless community members were also reeling from the effects: displaced from their homes, property damage, loss of essential food supplies and services, and more.

    After the flood, North York Harvest Food Bank, Youth Without Shelter, Room to Grow Food Bank, the Mount Dennis Community Association, and the Black Creek

    A crowd of people including Federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh listens as North York Harvest Executive Director Ryan Noble gives a tour of the facility

    Alliance joined together to discuss the effects of the flood, and how we could move collaboratively toward solutions.

    Our discussions emphasized the urgent support needed from the government to alleviate the strain on our non-profits and our community.

    We were joined by Federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, who met with community members affected by the flood, amplified our concerns and supported our call for long-term solutions in a letter addressed to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

    On August 30 an investment of $323-million from the City of Toronto and the federal government was announced to bolster the Rockcliffe-Smythe area against future flooding!

    A man stands and gives a presentation during a community discussion at North York Harvest Food Bank with a whiteboard in the background covered in notes.“This is the power of advocacy and community,” says Ryan Noble, Executive Director of North York Harvest Food Bank. “When we come together and fight for our community, we win. When we join our voices together and put pressure on the government to notice, it can work.

    “We’re proud to have stood with our partners and neighbours who have been raising alarm bells about this issue for years, and we’re hopeful it will bring relief for our community.”

    Several people stand in front of a backdrop with the North York Harvest Food Bank logo, smiling for a group picture.

  5. How Our Community Came Together During Disaster

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    How our community came together during disaster

    On July 16, a tremendous rainfall caused mass flooding and power outages across Toronto, and North York Harvest Food Bank got hit, hard.

    Summer is always a challenging time for food banks. North York Harvest saw the highest number of client visits on record in May, and for weeks had been running critically low on essential foods like pasta and canned fish. In reality, we were already in crisis mode. Then the flood happened.

    Our loading bays were flooded, our freezer broke, one of our delivery trucks was damaged, and water poured into the warehouse.

     

    On top of the infrastructure damage from the flood and power outage, about $20,000 worth of milk, yogurt and other high quality foods were spoiled. These are highly valued products, which our clients often can’t afford to buy for themselves and their families.

    The effects of this damage rippled outwards to our community. As a result, we weren’t able to provide as much food to our community food spaces and the dozens of agencies we support. Some of our partner agencies were also impacted, losing large amounts of inventory and facing significant damage to their food spaces.

    Community Champions

    We put out an urgent call for help, but we could not have imagined the incredible response from our community!

    We were in a crisis, but we weren’t alone. Individuals, community groups, local businesses, and organizations all showed up to help North York Harvest get back on its feet. Our phones were ringing off the hook; everyone was asking how they could help.

    Immediately, the generosity of our supporters was put into action: Shelves, cupboards and fridges were refilled to ensure our clients could access the food they need.

    This couldn’t have happened at a worse time, but this situation reminded us how incredible and compassionate our community is.

    After the flood

    Thanks to our generous supporters, we have been able to repair the delivery truck and get it back on the road. Unfortunately, multiple attempts at repairing the freezer have been unsuccessful. There is a temporary fix in place to keep it operational for now, but it will need to be replaced – and soon.

    The reality is North York Harvest Food Bank has outgrown its current warehouse. Our space and equipment were not designed to meet the demands of the growing number of individuals who rely on our services.

    Given that our warehouse serves as the main distribution site for four community food spaces and hundreds of food programs, maintaining the integrity of our supply chain is crucial. To reduce the risk of another breakdown, we are looking at offsite cold storage space as a contingency.

    “I think this shows just how fragile the network of food banks really is to deal with the crisis that we’re seeing,” says Ryan Noble, Executive Director of North York Harvest Food Bank. “This flood was an acute shock, but we’ve been dealing with a chronic crisis of food insecurity and poverty in this city for years.”

    Thank you to everyone for the support during this challenging time, and for joining with North York Harvest as we work toward our vision of a community where all members can meet their food needs.

  6. North York Harvest Receives Feed Ontario Innovation Award

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    North York Harvest Receives Feed Ontario Award for Innovation!

    Every year, the Feed Ontario Awards for Excellence honour food banks that have demonstrated exceptional work in innovation, advocacy, and leadership among Ontario’s network of food banks. The awards are presented each year at Feed Ontario’s annual conference, which was held this June in Kingston, Ontario.

    North York Harvest Food Bank is proud to announce we are the recipients of the prestigious Innovator Award this year!

    The Innovator Award, a significant recognition in the food bank sector, is presented to a food bank that has demonstrated innovation in programming, service, or sustainability.

    Seven people stand in a line smiling for a photo. Two people in the centre hold an award between them for Feed Ontario's Innovation Award.

    North York Harvest’s unique, community-driven initiatives create local jobs, provide valuable skills training, and ensure robust community food programs. This innovative approach not only meets immediate needs but also empowers individuals, building a stronger, more resilient community.

    “Toronto is facing an unprecedented crisis of affordability, poverty and food insecurity. North York Harvest is seeing record levels of food bank usage,” says Ryan Noble, Executive Director at North York Harvest Food Bank.

    “We understand free food is only a temporary fix and that traditional charitable models fall short of solving long-term food insecurity. We have long championed a holistic approach to supporting individuals struggling with poverty alongside strategies that foster our local economy and generate wealth in our communities,” he says.

    Our programs include:

    • Foodreach: A collaborative food purchasing program enabling hundreds of community partners to access food at reduced costs. The funds generated from FoodReach are invested back into NYHFB, helping to sustain our emergency food support by providing no-cost food to their member agencies and food banks.

     

    • Leadership in Logistics: A community-focused initiative of North York Harvest Food Bank that has been instrumental in empowering and investing in food bank clients. By offering paid training opportunities in logistics, warehousing, and materials handling, the program has equipped participants with a forklift certification and placed them in jobs at distribution centres, where they earn a living wage with benefits.

    “Each year, Feed Ontario presents awards to honour and acknowledge the exceptional work being done in food banks across our network,” said Carolyn Stewart, Chief Executive Officer at Feed Ontario. “In every corner of Ontario, food banks are working tremendously hard to ensure that everyone in their community has access to nutritious and healthy food.”

    Thank you to Feed Ontario for this recognition, and thank you to our staff, volunteers, partners and donors who make this transformative work possible!

  7. Volunteer Spotlight: Meet Müge!

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    Volunteer Spotlight: Meet Müge

    Last year, more than 26,000 volunteer hours were worked at North York Harvest. We are grateful for every person who generously gives their time to

    A woman with long dark hair smiles while sitting at a table and holding a stack of surveys. ensure our community members can get the dignified food support they need. This month, we would like to highlight Müge, one of our newer volunteers who helps out at Lawrence Heights Community Food Space. Whether it’s serving clients or helping to conduct surveys for our annual Who’s Hungry reports, we’re glad she’s part of the team!

    What made you want to volunteer at North York Harvest?

    After moving from Istanbul to Toronto just three months ago, I sought to connect with the community and contribute in a meaningful way. My background in the food industry has always fueled my passion for food and social responsibility.

    In London I was deeply impacted by the initiative to donate unsold pastries to a local charity for the homeless. This experience not only relieved my concerns about waste but also filled me with a sense of purpose, knowing that our efforts helped those in need enjoy quality food. Eager to replicate this positive impact in my new city, I discovered North York harvest and was impressed by its mission and community involvement.

    Have you volunteered elsewhere previously?

    While I do not have extensive experience with regular volunteer commitments, my involvement in humanitarian efforts following the devastating earthquake in Turkey on February 6, 2023, was eye-opening. This involvement was an urgent response to a critical need and helped lay a foundation for my passion for community service.

    Can you describe your experience volunteering at NYH so far?

    My experience volunteering at North York Harvest has been incredibly fulfilling, both personally and for my community.

    Each day, I see firsthand how much the distributed food means to those who receive it. There’s a profound sense of gratitude and relief among the beneficiaries, which deeply resonates with me. Volunteering here has reinforced my passion for helping others. The environment at NYH is one of mutual respect and cooperation; we’re all driven by a shared goal to make a tangible difference in peoples’ lives.

    Every session ends with a sense of accomplishment and a reminder of the positive impact we can have when we work together. Overall, my time at North York Harvest has been an enriching journey that has not only helped me connect with the local community but has also affirmed the value of collective action in addressing food insecurity.

    Four people stand with their arms around one another while smiling at a camera. In the foreground is a table with food items including eggs.

    Interested in volunteering? Check out all of our current volunteer opportunities at  www.northyorkharvest.com/volunteer/

  8. Menstrual Equity Fund

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    Menstrual Equity Fund

    Did you know 1 in 6 Canadians who menstruate experience period poverty?

    A man and woman wearing red North York Harvest hats smile with arms crossed in front of a large stack of menstrual products in a warehouse.

    At North York Harvest, menstrual products are something our clients are always asking about, as far too many have to choose between buying these products or having enough food to eat.

    We are proud to have participated in Food Banks Canada’s Menstrual Equity Fund, which is a collaboration across industry partners, including other food banks, with funding from Women and Gender Equality Canada.

    The pilot aimed to provide products to diverse, low-income communities across the country while raising awareness of menstrual equity and reducing stigma about menstruation.

    Through this pilot, over 48 million period product units were delivered across participating food banks in Canada, reaching more than 2 million individuals.

    Across our network, we have received 2,500 boxes of these products to ensure those who need them most will receive them.

    “A lot of our families right now, when you have two or three members of your household who need these products – it gets incredibly expensive,” says Nisha Joshi, Manager of our Albion Community Food Space.

    Albion serves about 700 clients each month, and Nisha says when people first saw them on the shelf they were really happy to have menstrual products available.

    A woman wearing a red North York Harvest hat stands smiling outside in front of a brightly painted shipping container“Even during times when we had what I’d call high-value household items like toothpaste, toilet paper and other household things people are really looking for, clients were still taking the Maxi pads,” Nisha says.

    “Because it’s something they need and it’s something that’s so incredibly expensive right now.”

    At current prices, a box of menstrual pads is about $8-10. After paying rent and utilities, food bank users in Toronto have a median of $6.67 left per day for all other necessities, according to our 2023 Who’s Hungry report.

    Through this pilot, we were able to ease the cost burden on so many clients in our community so they could use those funds for other necessities.

    Thank you to the following product and distribution vendors, and education and advocacy partners for making this pilot possible: Joni, McKesson Canada, Always Tampax, Edgewell Personal Care, Aisle, Only, Marlow, Oko Creations, Knix, The Period Purse, Moon Time Connections, Free Periods Canada, Monthly Dignity, Project Aim, and Help A Girl Out.