Feed Ontario has launched a COVID-19 emergency food box program to help food banks support their communities while minimizing exposure to COVID-19.
Developed in partnership with local food banks and Food Banks Canada, and made possible by a contribution from the province, the program is an innovative initiative designed to help food banks across the province address multiple challenges resulting from COVID-19 with a single solution, Carolyn Stewart, executive director of Feed Ontario, said in a news release.
“As COVID-19 continues to impact our communities, people are relying more heavily on food banks to help make ends meet. But COVID-19 has also increased challenges for food banks, making it harder to acquire food locally and reducing the number of volunteers able to safely help distribute food,” she said.
To date, the program has distributed 100,000 emergency food boxes to food banks in Ontario, with a target of producing and distributing 450,000 pre-packed boxes in total.
Each box provides approximately seven days’ worth of food per person, including staple products like cereal, tuna, pasta, canned fruit, and juice. Food banks are then able to add to the boxes with local fresh food items, like milk, eggs, meat, and produce.
The emergency food box program purchases food items in bulk and pre-packs individual food boxes prior to distribution. By combining these efforts, the program helps to address local level labour shortages, supports physical distancing measures, and meets the surge in demand by helping to address food shortages, Stewart said.
“Through the program, food banks across the province will receive pre-packed emergency food boxes with enough food for someone in need to stay home for a full week,” she added.
Feed Ontario has set an ambitious goal to produce enough boxes for everyone who visits a food bank in Ontario to receive 14 days of food, or two boxes each.
The program was developed in a matter of weeks, with support from business and industry partners, including financial contributions from longstanding partner Metro Ontario Inc. and Ontario Power Generation, as well as logistics support from AMJ Campbell.
“Individuals across our province have been affected by COVID-19, and we know it has been particularly difficult for those living in poverty, facing homelessness, or dealing with precarious employment or unemployment,” said Todd Smith, minister of Children, Community and Social Services. “That is why our government is proud to partner with Feed Ontario on their COVID-19 Emergency Food Box Program. We commend Feed Ontario on their efforts to address the challenges facing our local food banks, and for presenting an innovative solution.”
“This is an example of every piece of the puzzle falling into place. Every level of food banking, federal, provincial and local, is participating to make sure our neighbours are fed and safe. We're always happy to collaborate with Feed Ontario,” says Chris Hatch, CEO, Food Banks Canada.
Feed Ontario has received more than $200,000 in donations from Ontarians, as well as financial donations from organizations including Hydro One, Ontario Toyota Dealers and Toyota Canada, Grain Farmers of Ontario, Dairy Farmers of Ontario, National Bank of Canada, and the Elementary Teacher’s Federation of Ontario.
“Feed Ontario would not have been able to accomplish this incredible feat so far without the support of its donors and partners,” Stewart said. “But the need in our province is great, which is why we will need continued support to maintain this momentum and achieve our goal.”
Ontario’s food bank network is currently preparing to serve 225,000 people per month, an increase of nearly 20 per cent over January. As the impact of COVID-19 continues to develop, food banks will need ongoing support to meet the increasing demand for their services and address the long-term impact that COVID-19 may have on communities across the province.
For a $30 donation, you can help put an Emergency Food Box into the hands of someone in need.
To see a video of Feed Ontario’s COVID-19 Emergency Food Box Program, visit: https://feedontario.ca/covid-
