Did you know that $49 billion worth of good, surplus food goes to waste in Canada every year? This is enough food to effectively end the problem of hunger in our country. However, instead of providing nourishment, this food rots in landfill, emitting powerful greenhouse gases that damage the environment. While this food perishes, an overwhelming 5.6 million Canadians are experiencing food insecurity on a regular basis.

That’s where Second Harvest comes in with their dual mission to grow an efficient food recovery network to fuel people while reducing the environmental impacts of avoidable food waste. As the largest food rescue organization in Canada, they have become a global thought leader on food recovery. Since 1985, Second Harvest has worked across the supply chain to capture nutritious, surplus food before it ends up in landfill.

They then redistribute this food free of charge to over 2,300 social service agencies who require food for over 4,300 programs, including breakfast and after-school programs for children; senior’s residences and program centres; food bank and pantry programs; shelters serving at-risk youth, women, families and individuals; settlement centres assisting refugees and newcomers, drop-in centres serving people who are homeless; programs serving those struggling with mental health issues and more.

Second Harvest Hero Facts:

• There are 1.2 million more Canadians experiencing food insecurity now than before the pandemic began
  
  
• 79% of the food Second Harvest rescues is perishable and 67% is nutrient dense
  
  
• Every $1 donated to Second Harvest provides enough food for two meals. Imagine the impact YOU can make! 
  
  
• In 2020, our amazing Second Harvest Heroes raised over $307,000 to provide over 614,000 meals.  

Join the fight against hunger and food waste by making a donation to help Second Harvest achieve their goal of rescuing 32 million lbs of food in 2021 and serving 1.3 million individuals across the country.