Replanting Our Roots

This blog post was provided by Debbie Field, Executive Director at FoodShare Toronto.

FoodShare started up in 1985 in response to economic downturn. We started as a referral service, connecting people to emergency food relief and providing solutions such as community gardens and ways of getting produce to underserved communities via the Ontario Food Terminal. Thirty years on, these ideas have grown and created many community based food solutions.

What If We Put Food First? 

We’ve worked on making fresh produce accessible. With the help from community leaders, we’ve grown to serve every neighbourhood in Toronto, working on every step of the food system. We’ve questioned our current food system and processes in an effort to improve upon how we think about and how we consume food. What if people grew food in hydro corridors? What if every student had a healthy snack at school? Why can’t people pick up veggies and fruit at subway stops?

We’re answering these questions by modeling projects that work. This past year we’ve launched popup produce markets in different stops along Toronto’s subway line in partnership with the Toronto Transit Commission and Toronto Public Health’s Food Strategy. We’ve started work on growing food in hydro corridors with help from community leaders. And in the fall, we’re getting tower gardens into dozens of classrooms so kids can grow and harvest greens right in the classroom.

Growing Impacts

This summer we have to move. We’re planting new roots in the Mount Dennis neighbourhood in Toronto, Ontario. Our new location has a more efficient warehouse. It’s closer to highways. It will allow FoodShare to be more productive, expand its impact and reach new communities. In a city where food insecurity is on the rise, we’re excited to continue doing our part in the food system.

To help the move, Foodshare Toronto has started a campaign to help fund the cost of replanting operations in our new home by the end of the month. Our new location will allow us to continue to create new solutions and help us reach people like the 252,533 adults and children FoodShare impacted in 2015.

To learn more about FoodShare Toronto, or to make a donation to their campaign, please visit their Charity Campaign >>