Rescuing surplus food for 6.5 million+ Canadians

Second Harvest turned 40 this year. While we’re proud of all that we’ve accomplished, we also wish we were no longer needed. Our growth is a reminder of the harsh reality millions of Canadians face and the rising pressure being felt across the country. More and more people in Canada are food insecure, squeezed by the rising cost of living and an affordability crisis worsened by the uncertainties of tariffs, all while $58 billion worth of perfectly edible food is still wasted every year. With your support we will continue to face these challenges head on.

As long as there is food to be rescued and delivered to those who need it, we will continue to be as relentless, adaptable and laser focused as we have been over the last four decades. Since September 2024, we’ve rescued over 43.1 million pounds of great healthy food - almost halfway to our 2025 fiscal goal. The food we’ve re-distributed has made its way to 1,200+ communities across Canada and has supported food programs at more than 4,100 non-profit organizations. The healthy surplus food that we kept from landfill also enabled the prevention of 143 million pounds of greenhouse gases from entering the atmosphere. That’s equivalent to taking nearly 20,000 cars off the road for a year.

Second Harvest's food rescue provides mission critical support to our community partners. One of these organizations is Cota, a Toronto based organization dedicated to helping at-risk individuals live well in their communities. According to their CEO Paul Bruce, “Second Harvest donations play an important role in supporting vulnerable groups such as seniors, people with disabilities and single mothers.” Paul shared with us the story of a client who became immunocompromised after surgery. “Second Harvest's weekly support in providing fresh food, especially vegetables, was crucial for his recovery. Not only did it help him maintain a healthier diet, but it also alleviated some of the financial burdens he was facing at a very challenging time in his life.”

We heard very similar stories from our partners at Whitby Specialty food bank. According to their team “The demand for food is real, a lot of people are accessing food banks right now. We wouldn't be able to do what we're doing if we weren't getting the quantity and quality that we get from Second Harvest.” We know that access to fresh, nutritious food can change lives. That’s why we remain committed to working with organizations like these to ensure that no one in our community has to choose between food and other essentials.

This impact is yours. Every pound of food rescued, every meal and every person served is a result of your incredible support. Thank you for standing with us in the fight against hunger and food waste. Your generosity makes it possible to keep food where it belongs: on plates and out of landfills.

Links:

• Full Mid-Year Impact Report

2024 has been an incredible year for Second Harvest! Throughout the year, we focused on growth, determination, and community with an aim of further building our National Food Rescue Network. With the mounting costs of living and inflation squeezing families across Canada, our mission has never been more important. Thanks to your support, we’ve been able to rise to the challenge in ways we didn’t think possible!

A Big Impact

We are incredibly proud of our accomplishments over the past twelve months, where our team rescued and redistributed 87.1 million pounds of surplus food! That’s not just food saved from landfills – it’s healthy, perishable food delivered to Canadians who need it most. From coast to coast to coast, we were able to reach more than 6.5 million people, providing real and tangible support during a time when many are struggling.

Food does more than nourish people; it fosters sustainability, reliability, and hope for those in need. It connects us to one another and deeply drives our sense of self. At Second Harvest, we understand the critical importance of food security. Yet, with rising costs, many healthy, perishable foods remain out of reach for countless Canadians. That is why we focus on rescuing and redistributing surplus perishable goods like produce, proteins and dairy. Last year, 86% of the food rescued by Second Harvest was perishable and 64% was nutrient dense.

This rescued food provided 245,000 meals daily, distributed through more than 5,000 of our non-profit partners across Canada. Our partners are diverse and support many sectors of the community, including school and after-school programs, seniors’ centres, shelters, food banks, faith-based organizations, and northern and remote communities.

Environmental Impact

Rescued food not only impacts those at a community level, but also on a larger environmental scale. By keeping this food on plates and not in landfills, Second Harvest was able to divert 288 million pounds of greenhouse gases from entering the atmosphere. It also saved the 59.3 billion litres of water used to make this food, rather than it all going to waste.

Hungry for Change

Early in 2024, Second Harvest presented findings from our annual Hungry for Change survey. 1,400 not-for-profits across Canada were asked about their program demands and expected changes for the year. The results were striking; these critical frontline organizations expected to see an 18% increase in demand in 2024. That equates to more than 1 million people in Canada accessing a food charity for the first time last year.

Carla Williment of the River East Transcona School Division in Winnipeg, MB, Canada has seen these effects firsthand:

“We find an increased demand for our breakfast program. We typically would see 15-20 students in the morning come in for a light breakfast, but we are currently feeding 60-75 students consistently each day. We also provide a brown bag lunch for students who require a lunch or need an addition to their lunch.”

Looking forward in 2025

Second Harvest is not slowing down and is only looking to build upon the momentum started last year. We are optimistic in our goals, and we’re growing faster and reaching deeper into every province and territory, making a bigger impact with every meal. But we know there is still more work to do, and we are so thankful for the support of our community. Together, we’re not just rescuing food – we’re building a brighter, healthier future for all.

Thank you for believing in our mission and standing with us in the fight against food waste and food insecurity.

Links:

• Second Harvest Homepage

• Second Harvest 2024 Annual Report (PDF)