Tag Archive: foodreach

1. “The difference is dignity”: How FoodReach supports Toronto’s shelter and drop-in network

   June 29, 2026 11:26 am Comments Off on “The difference is dignity”: How FoodReach supports Toronto’s shelter and drop-in network

   

   Every weekday, The Common Table at Church of the Redeemer opens its doors to some of Toronto’s most vulnerable residents.

   With just four staff and more than 80 volunteers, the program serves approximately 250 meals a day, alongside outreach services, housing support, harm reduction, psychotherapy, clothing programs, art therapy, and even a quiet, safe place where community members can rest.

   “The fact that people feel safe enough and trust us enough to come in and sleep says a lot about the kind of space we’re trying to create,” says Beverley Galandzy, Volunteer/Kitchen Coordinator and Outreach Worker at The Common Table.

   But as food costs continue to rise and demand grows, maintaining that level of care has become increasingly challenging.

   “We’re running out of food more often than ever,” Beverley says. “Our grocery bills have quadrupled since before COVID. We stretch every dollar we can.”

   That’s where a program from the City of Toronto comes in — with support from our social enterprise FoodReach.

   Healthy, local food for people who need it most

   Creating Health Plus (CH+) helps shelters and drop-in meal programs access fresh, healthy ingredients to supplement their food programs, including dairy, protein, seasonal produce, and other essentials.

   FoodReach forms the logistics backbone of CH+ — coordinating deliveries for shelters and drop-in meal programs across Toronto.

   As a social enterprise of North York Harvest, FoodReach operates on a mission-first model: Every decision and every delivery puts food security first.

   FoodReach offers a diverse food catalogue with 70% of items sourced locally; strengthening the non-profit food supply chain while supporting local businesses.

   The Common Table reconnected with CH+ last year, and now has consistent access to fresh, nutritious ingredients that would otherwise be difficult to afford.

   “It’s been incredibly helpful,” Beverley says. “This is one of the most comfortable times we’ve had because of the food we’re receiving.”

   CH+ recipients can order add-ons to their standardized weekly delivery directly through FoodReach, which offers some flexibility for programs to customize the food they receive based on the unique needs of their communities.

   “Access to fresh eggs allows us to prepare more nutritious breakfasts, while the cheese helps make those breakfasts — as well as scones and casseroles — more hearty and satisfying,” says Beverley. “Having fresh milk for coffee and tea instead of powdered milk or coffee whitener makes a noticeable difference in both quality and dignity for our members.”

   For people experiencing homelessness, these improvements matter.

   “Overall, our meal program has become far more robust, delicious, and nutritious,” says Beverley. “Nourishing, high-quality food supports both physical health and a sense of care and respect.”

   We are grateful to partner with the City on such an impactful program, so non-profits like the Common Table can continue doing what they do best: Caring for their community and serving food that is both healthy and dignified.

   

2. Why Dixon Hall has partnered with FoodReach for over 8 years

   March 31, 2026 2:36 pm Comments Off on Why Dixon Hall has partnered with FoodReach for over 8 years

   

   Our FoodReach social enterprise works with hundreds of food banks, drop-in meal programs, shelters, libraries, and schools to provide affordable, high-quality food, so organizations can help more people meet their food needs, for less.

   For more than eight years, Dixon Hall has partnered with FoodReach to power several of its community food programs. Dixon Hall is a multi-service charitable organization supporting clients with everything from affordable housing, employment services, to essential food programs.

   

   Their Sumach location operates drop-in meal and food hamper programs, and delivery options for clients who are unable to come in person.

   Before partnering with FoodReach, sourcing food for programs meant long trips on foot to the grocery store — rain or shine. “It was inefficient, and it doesn’t work when you’re running 4-5 programs a week. We started partnering with FoodReach because we needed better food access,” says Gregory, Food Access Supervisor with Dixon Hall.

   With FoodReach, Dixon Hall now has access to a wide range of affordable, high-quality foods including fresh produce, meat, dairy, eggs, and shelf-stable items. This expanded selection has made it easier to plan and deliver diverse programming across multiple sites.

   But for Dixon Hall, the value of FoodReach goes beyond logistics and affordability; it’s about partnership.

   

   “It’s not like working with a big corporate supplier,” Gregory says. “FoodReach has been very good to us, and they understand community work. When we were first building our hamper program, they helped us find the right products. They’re always open to feedback and even update their catalogue based on what we need.”

   That responsiveness reflects FoodReach’s roots as a social enterprise of North York Harvest Food Bank. Every purchase supports a broader mission of community wealth building:  Community food programs are strengthened, regional food suppliers are supported, and local jobs are created, with surplus revenue reinvested into North York Harvest.

   Together, FoodReach and community partners like Dixon Hall are proving what’s possible when organizations work collaboratively to reimagine the food system—one that is more equitable and responsive.

   “At Dixon Hall, food is sometimes the first point of connection for people who are facing barriers,” Gregory says. “For the youth, seniors, newcomers, and community members we serve, having access to nourishing food can mean feeling seen, supported, and cared for.”