We are the main provider of fresh food to people in need in Toronto, with over
7.2 million pounds delivered in the last 12 months.

Second Harvest is the largest food rescue program in Canada. Since 1985, Second Harvest has been picking up donated, excess food, which would otherwise go to waste, and delivering that food to community agencies in Toronto. Currently, Second Harvest delivers rescued food to over 215 community agencies.

Second Harvest at a glance

All our food is donated by local food retailers, manufacturers, restaurants, caterers

• we do not purchase food

Children and youth represent almost 40% of all our food recipients

We supply high-nutrition food for over 215 social service agencies

• fresh fruit and vegetables,100% juices, fresh and frozen meat and milk
• healthy bagged lunches for children in low income families at day camps
• high-protein foods for seniors and sick people with special dietary needs

We reduce pollution by diverting our rescued excess food from landfills

• over 3.3 million pounds of greenhouse gases prevented every year

Supported by hundreds of corporations, foundations, and the community at large

• no ongoing funding from the government or from United Way
• over 14,000 volunteer hours

Three major annual fundraising events:

• Turkey Drive (December) - Holiday food and funds drive
• Lunch Money Days (February) - led by employee and community groups
• Toronto Taste (June) - Toronto's premiere culinary event

We are efficient:         

• It costs us just 50 cents to deliver enough food for one meal

We are transparent:   

• Our annual report is posted online
• Our audited financial statements are available to anyone at anytime

We are responsible:     

Led by a Volunteer Board of committed business and community leaders

We make a huge social  impact: 

• we rescue and deliver enough food to provide over 19,000 meals a day!