Searching for Other Food Security Initiatives
Located near Vaughan
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- collects surplus products from food retailers, food manufacturers, food distributors, restaurants, hotels, farmers, the Ontario Association of Food Banks, Food Banks Canada, and individuals across the Greater Toronto Area
Does not distribute food directly to individuals
- strengthen community leadership and support positive social change from an anti-poverty and anti-oppressive social justice perspective
- identify and respond to community needs
- training, support, capacity building and advocacy for local residents
- Corner Commons - community-led public space available in spring and summer
- community workshops and group programming
- engages area residents to reduce their carbon footprint
- community development and capacity building approach
Seeds for Change (Urban Agriculture)
- community gardens
- workshops for growing and processing food, urban agriculture development
Community Breakfast -- drop in to help prepare then enjoy free breakfast with other community members
Food Support Program (Food Bank)
- community kitchen
- farmers, residents and food distributors donate excess produce and products
- assistance with Basic Needs Program -- emergency financial assistance for help with utility bills, children's recreational subsidy
- social support in the form of programs addressing life's challenges such as finding a job or affordable housing
- Season of Hope campaign provides support through the year-end holiday season and throughout the year ahead with items donated by the community including collection of perishable and non-perishable food items, gift cards and cash donations
- case management
- mental health supports
- employment and job search assistance
Overseas program -- long term community development in areas of food security, education and capacity building
Give Back Awards
Cash award to graduating high school students from Aurora, Georgina, King and Newmarket for exceptional contributions to fellow students and citizens and ongoing community involvement
Tree Planting
Coordinates spring tree planting day each spring in Aurora, East Gwillimbury, Georgina, King and Newmarket, partnership with Lake Simcoe Conservation Authority
Fall Food Drive
Volunteer groups are assigned to grocery store and encourage shoppers to donate, donations are distributed to local food banks
Holiday Gift Drive
Collects and distributes holiday gifts to charitable organizations
Early Years Food Basics-- training and information on making healthy homemade baby food from fresh affordable food
Community Food Growing Programs -- information, training and resources, growing food and communities, composting, beekeeping, school gardens
Commercial Kitchen -- fully equipped kitchen for community-based groups and small businesses that do not have access to a commercial kitchen, fee
Bulk Produce -- offering fresh produce and pre-packaged snacks to schools, community groups and businesses, fee
- to set up an account, place an order or learn more email orders@foodshare.net
- individuals can order fresh produce boxes and other food items online at
goodfoodbox.foodshare.net - agencies looking to order Good Food Boxes in bulk and have them delivered to a central location, email orders@foodshare.net
- directory of locations and opening hours/dates online at foodshare.net/program/markets/
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- Collects, sorts and distributes food to a network of neighbourhood food programs including food banks, shelters, prenatal programs, meal programs and community kitchens in northern Toronto
- food bank and meal program referrals
- community garden projects
- pick-your-own farm trips
- public education on hunger and poverty issues
- professional development
- volunteer opportunities
- consumer protection and education
- also policy development, program management, information exchange, capacity building, public education and research
Benefits wayfinder -- for current information on federal, provincial and territorial benefits, including those related to COVID-19 CLICK HERE
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Services, programs and advocacy to address the problems of food access and hunger
- open to community ideas for use of resources
- member of Daily Bread Food Bank
- community dining
- food bank
- community gardening
- community kitchens, bake oven
- information and referral
- community advocacy
- Healthy Beginnings -- prenatal nutrition and support
- Green Barn -- sustainable food production and education centre
- Farmers Market
- Good Food Market
- in partnership with other agencies, ID clinic, help to find and keep housing, legal service referrals, settlement orientation to the community with information and referral to other services, dietetic counselling
- educational and recreational sessions
- food reclamation and meals program
Food program for school children
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Child and Youth Programs - Provide youth with a wide range of social recreational activities that will enable them to be peer leaders, and to enhance their personal and community capacity
EarlyON Child and Family Centre - Free drop-in programs offer children up to the age of six, their parents, and their caregivers an interactive environment where they can participate a wide range of activities that help strengthen connections and foster healthy child development.
Food Access Programs - Addresses food access and food security issues in the Stonegate community * support the development, implementation and operation of a local community garden, a Good Food Box program, a Good Food Market * capacity building workshops around food issues also organized throughout the year for community members to attend.
Pre and Post Natal Programs - Pre natal program offering information on nutrition, labour and delivery, * parenting information, breastfeeding support and encouraging healthy eating for women in the first year of their baby's life
- research, publications, advocacy
- Find a Food Bank -- locate a member food bank in your area
- does not provide direct emergency food support -- in Toronto, individuals requiring food support contact Daily Bread Food Bank or North York Harvest Food Bank for referral (see separate entries)
Educate Me
Virtual learning programs, registration required, contact for details on start dates and time
- seniors program for adults 55 years and older, including digital technology and healthy cooking classes
- children's summer math tutoring program for grades 4-5
For isolated seniors 62 years and older, who require transportation assistance for shopping, banking, medical appointments
- transportation provided by screened volunteers
- call for intake, appointment booking
- in partnership with social groups and churches
- no onsite food bank at this location
Food Bank 2 Home -- at home delivery service for residents within Mississauga unable to visit their local food bank
- must meet eligibility criteria, for information visit https://www.foodbanksmississauga.ca/get-support/food-bank-2-home/
Youth Dimensions -- volunteer opportunities for at risk youth to develop personal skills and community engagement
Individuals Conquering Addictions Now (ICAN) -- one on one recovery support for individuals facing addictions
Pre-employment support services -- assistance with job search, resume writing, developing references, volunteer placements
- access to computers and telephone
Choices Retreat -- fee for service program for Peel students to raise awareness on the issues of hunger, poverty, and homelessness through educational and interactive activities
Information and referral * summer camp for low income children * intergenerational mentoring between seniors and at risk families * workshops on the prevention and management of diet related illnesses * Holiday Hampers for needy families, with donated food, toys and clothing
- training and education
- volunteer opportunities
FoodRescue.ca -- online platform connecting businesses with surplus food products to non-for-profit agencies with food programs
- advance registration required for both food donors and receivers, form on website
- available throughout Canada
- also information on how to reduce food waste at home
Does not distribute food to individuals directly, no food distribution at this location
- referrals to local food banks and meal programs for persons in need of food
- information, referral, advocacy and crisis support related to income supports and government entitlements (such as Ontario Works, Ontario Disability Support Program)
- community services related to housing, legal, mental health, abuse and other issues
- volunteer opportunities
- collects, stores, distributes food to over 130 social service agencies
- supports food programs that provide meals or groceries to people in need across the Greater Toronto Area
- public education, research and initiatives on hunger, poverty and reducing need for food bank use
- conducts public food drives
- online food donation via credit card available
Community Garden
- Located at Bradford Lions Park (on Colborn St, Bradford)
- $45 for 4"x 6" plot
- Space is limited, call for information
- Program is currently on hold
- Adults wishing to assist with community meal, call for information
Centralized intake to connect to local food delivery programs and resources
Meals on Wheels: makes hot or frozen meals available to individuals who have physical and financial limitations * offers menu of choices to suit everyone's dietary needs * hot or frozen meals delivered by volunteers
Food Advisor Supports: Helps to direct to the most appropriate food supports programs and services available in community based on clients needs and circumstances
- listing of locations and phone numbers where food is available throughout Durham Region
- Discover your Inner Chef food budget curriculum and food budget kit
- food budgeting information to eat healthy on a limited budget
- food insecurity resources available on website to help organizations support clients experiencing food insecurity
Food4Kids provides backpacks of healthy food for kids with limited or no food during weekend periods and summer months
- food items are packed by volunteers and delivered to schools every Friday morning
- at the school, the food package is placed discreetly into the student's own backpack helping to shield the child from any stigma associated with hunger or receiving food assistance
- each child in the home receives their own food package
- programs are 100% funded by community donors and one-time grants
Helps local churches and organizations connect with local subsidized housing communities for the purposes of poverty relief and community investment
Food Bank
- weekly food distribution
- food supplied by Food for Life
- fresh food and canned goods are distributed
More than a Meal
- prepared dinners delivered to homeless, elderly shut ins and in special circumstances
Community barbecues and dinners
- coordinates on site summer barbecues and community dinners at subsidized housing sites
- gives the participants opportunities to get to know each other, moving them from loneliness to engagement
Camp Dakota
- an outreach program that serves children and youth who live in subsidized, low income housing communities
- a summer day camp program run in Halton Region and 5 sites in Toronto
- activities include basketball, field hockey, wide games - capture the flag & prisoners base, track and field, soccer, frisbee, hip hop dance, crafts and story time
- all programs are provided at no cost to the camper or the family
- see website for more information
Healing Wheelz
- the bike doctor (Phil Carver) makes house calls and does on site bike clinics to do bike repairs so no kid is without a bike
- if it can't be repaired on site, he'll take it to the shop
- for those who want to learn how, he will provide training to become a bike doctor
Father's House Cafe
- held every Mon evening from 5 pm-9 pm from Sept to June
- a coffee house format, where the atmosphere is warm and inviting, refreshments are served, personal stories and experiences are shared, encouragement is given, prayer is available and the unconditional love of God dispensed
Life Happens
- program helps neighbours living in poverty, connect to community resources through advocacy and referral
Winter outerwear distribution
Christmas toy distribution
Annual fundraiser in May
- breakfast and/or snack programs in schools
- fosters parental involvement and community ownership in supported programs