Take Action to Address Food Insecurity in Toronto
Poverty and food insecurity are affecting residents all across the city. One in 10 people in Toronto are now relying on food banks, a number that has doubled since last year. Almost 1 in 4 households in Toronto are food insecure and struggle to afford the food they need.
Since the start of the pandemic, community-based and grassroots organizations across Toronto have had to expand and start new food security programs such as food banks and meal programs. Demand has only grown, as the need has escalated, and organizations are struggling to respond. Social Planning Toronto has been convening a group of organizations that offer food bank services from across the City to identify policies and investments needed to support organizations in responding to this urgent need.
These organizations are clear on one thing — no one should be reliant on food banks. Toronto’s Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS) 2023–2026 Action Plan must address the root causes of poverty. Until then, City Council must also take immediate action to address food insecurity in our city.
The organizations have identified five areas requiring urgent action:
- Space
- Funding
- Shared Decision-making
- Food as a Human Right
- Emergency Preparedness
Check out this postcard to learn more about this issue and the challenges currently facing these organizations. Leading up to Toronto City Council's decision on the next PRS Action Plan, groups will be reaching out to members of Council to raise awareness about this urgent issue.
You can also learn more about the current state of food insecurity and poverty in the latest Who’s Hungry? report, released by the Daily Bread Food Bank and North York Harvest.
If you are interested in getting involved and supporting this work, please get in touch with Saroja Ponnambalam, [email protected].