2019 WINTER NEWSLETTER

1010943

THE AVOIDABLE CRISIS OF FOOD WASTE

FRESHCONNECTIONS

As a food rescue organization, Second Harvest has known for decades of the volume of unsold, excess food that has the potential to be rescued. Even though we recovered a record- breaking 12.3 million lbs of food last year, we’re just scratching the surface. However, definitive information has not been available to explain where surplus food occurs and most importantly, how does so much edible food go to landfill when 4 million Canadians struggle with food insecurity?

With the goal to finding answers, we partnered with Value Chain Management International to undertake a national study. Thanks to the Walmart Foundation for sharing our quest for knowledge, their generous funding allowed us to interview and survey over 700 food industry leaders across Canada. This research resulted in a world-first report, The Avoidable Crisis of Food Waste.

For the first time, data was collected from across the food chain – from farm to fork. We uncovered that 58% of the food produced for Canadians is actually lost or wasted. Out of this amount, a third of this waste is avoidable or as we see it, rescuable. 11.2 million metric tonnes of edible food is unnecessarily thrown out each year. This is the equivalent to filling a freight train that would stretch from Ottawa to past Winnipeg. It’s enough food to feed all everyone in Canada for 5 months.

To learn more, please visit www.secondharvest.ca/research

There is no social, environmental or business case for food waste, and yet it has become standard operating procedure in the food industry, not just in Canada, but globally. Throughout the supply chain, the cost of waste is often just considered the cost of doing business. But this is based solely on the cost of sending excess food to landfill. However, all the costs of producing food – the water, electricity, fuel, fertilizer, feed, and labour – are not taken into account, therefore the value of what is wasted is considerably higher.

Our research has identified about 30 root causes of food loss and waste, including:

• Conservative best before dates that lead to industry and consumers throwing away food that is still safe and edible

Enthusiasm at Second Harvest continues to build, as we launch into 2019 with a significant message regarding food loss and waste. Our Avoidable Crisis of Food Waste report is precedent-setting and the call to actions are clear and concise. Everyone needs to be involved in the conversation about reducing the massive amount of food sent to landfill.

We learned through our research that 58% of all food produced for Canadians is never consumed, with the most waste occurring before reaching retail. This data has validated the critical food recovery that Second Harvest has been doing quietly for years with our food industry donors, not only nourishing hundreds of thousands of people, but helping protect our environment. This report has propelled us onto the global stage, as a true champion of food rescue, like never before.

I am so proud of what our team continues to accomplish and I’m filled with anticipation for the year ahead. We are being asked to advise and share lessons in food rescue, as a means of addressing both climate change and food security. We continue to share our knowledge and offer guidance in fresh food recovery: the UN Environment wants to hear about our innovations in food waste reduction; I’m presenting a Canadian perspective at Americana, an international

THE AVOIDABLE CRISIS OF FOOD WASTE CONTINUED

CELEBRATING NEW BEGINNINGS & SHOWCASING OUR EXPERTISE

• Pressure on producers to provide 100% on-shelf availability and aesthetic perfection, particularly with fruits and vegetables, leading to over-production

• Reluctance in the food industry to rescue surplus food despite Good Samaritan legislation that already exists to enable donation.

The great quantities of unsold, excess food, which are currently classified as waste, are perfectly edible and could be rescued. The Avoidable Crisis of Food Waste report recommends 100 actions be taken by the food industry and supporting organizations, as well as government, to reduce waste and facilitate food recovery. With this ground-breaking research, everyone now has the data and the tools to transform this crisis into a leadership opportunity, ensuring good food is redirected to keep all Canadians healthy and strong.

environmental forum and technology trade show in Montreal in March; in April, we’ll be conversing with the Solid Waste Association of North America and the Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council; and in May, I’ll be part of a panel at the culinary Terroir Symposium, discussing changes to our food culture. There’s a real appetite for hearing Second Harvest’s expertise.

The other major excitement for us is working towards The Centre for Food Rescue Excellence! 2019 will be dedicated to raising funds and renovating our new home on The East Mall. We’re all eager to move in 2020, so watch for updates as we go on this amazing growth journey.

There are so many initiatives we’re working on, it’s breathtaking. I am immensely grateful for the third consecutive year of incredible funding from the Walmart Foundation. Over the holidays, we were awarded $1.8 million to continue to develop FoodRescue.ca throughout Ontario. The confidence that so many have in Second Harvest is awe-inspiring. We are truly thankful for everyone’s support – from our thousands of loyal individual donors to our corporate partners. We are continuing to innovate on your behalf and live up to our commitment as the experts on food rescue in Canada.

PROVIDINGAHAVENRaymond has been coming to Haven Toronto for more than 20 years. “I lost my job, my belongings – they threw everything out on me,” he explains. Raymond lived on the streets and in shelters for several years, before securing residence in a Toronto Community Housing building. He is now an active volunteer who has served on Haven Toronto’s Board of Directors as a client representative.

“Without this place, a lot of the guys would be starving, because they can’t afford meals outside. I’ve been out there, scrounging to get a meal and it’s hard. The way the economy is going, it’s harder than ever.”

Raymond credits much of his success to his time spent at Haven Toronto. He has re-established relationships with his children, become more socially engaged, learned helpful computer skills and regained his health.

“Haven has helped me out a lot. If it wasn’t for here, my weight wouldn’t be coming back up again. The meals here are good! We get bacon and eggs for breakfast, as well as yogurt and fresh fruit. There’s mashed potatoes at lunch, chicken, pork, turkey, soup, and dessert cake. We all eat and sit together like a family. Some guys come in who haven’t eaten since the day before. And they come here and they’re happy.”

David Wannan, Director of Development at Haven Toronto, recognizes the crucial support that Second Harvest provides.

“100% of the people we see here have missed a meal or gone a day or days without eating because they don’t have the money. Our elder client base, age at a much more rapid pace than the average individual and are slower to recover from illness and infection. To be able to provide them with a healthy nutritious meal on a regular basis makes a difference in their overall health and recovery. Without the support of Second Harvest, they might not eat.”

“Haven Toronto’s meal program offers healthy, nutritious meals 3 times a day, 7 days a week,” David explained. “Last year, we prepared over 55,000 healthy, nutritious meals to upwards of 250 elder men at a time, which is just not possible without our partnership.”

For over 85 years, Haven Toronto, the only facility of its kind in Canada, has served men aged 50+, who are impacted by poverty, homelessness and isolation.

To everyone who participated in our annual holiday turkey drive, we share our gratitude on behalf of the recipients of this wonderful protein. It takes a caring community to support one another. Our volunteer community is THE BEST.

TURKEY DRIVE 2018

75,530 NUTRITIOUS

MEALS SERVED

6,733TURKEYSDONATED

474AMAZING

VOLUNTEERS

$20,000DONATED

BY LOBLAWS

I really like the philosophy behind Second Harvest. I abhor waste and always try in my home to use all leftovers to maximum advantage. I know that Second Harvest benefits all food banks and that is a joy to me. Individual Supporter

California Wine Fair Monday April 29 from 7-9:30pm This wonderful annual showcase of incredible wines from the Golden State takes place at the Fairmont Royal York. Please use the promo code 2ndharvest to save $5 on each ticket and $40 will be donated to Second Harvest. Learn more > www.calwine.ca email veroniquer@secondharvest.ca call 416-408-2594 x242

Wellness Business Summit June 6 – 8 Nutritionists, chiropractors, health coaches, fitness professionals, therapists, and clinicians love to learn and network each year at this high impact event. 10% of your ticket price will be generously given back to us! Learn more > go.wellnessbusinesssummit.com

DONATE TIME AS A VOLUNTEER

“ ”FUN WAYS TO GIVE

Hit the road to experience food rescue! You’ll love being a Driver’s Assistant for a day. To help, you must be 16 or older and able to lift 30lbs. Pick a shift that suits you best – our trucks run 7 days a week. An amazing way to give back!

Help us shine at live events! We always need people to represent Second Harvest at information tables, setting up and monitoring silent auctions, selling tickets, and collecting donations. Learn more > email marjorier@secondharvest.ca call 416-408-2594 x243

OUR DONORS SAY

Presenting Sponsor

12.3 millionMEALS PROVIDED

58 millionPOUNDS OF GREENHOUSE

EMISSIONS AVERTED

$32 millionDONATED FOOD VALUE

94% of foodWE RESCUED

WAS PERISHABLE

YOUR IMPACT IN 2018

Since implementing FoodRescue.ca, our new online platform for food recovery last May, we’ve been engaging Toronto businesses in donating food to local neighbourhoods. We’ve had great successes and learned a lot, so now it’s time to expand this method of reducing food waste throughout Ontario.

This year, we’re bringing the ability to rescue unsold, excess food to select communities to ensure good food is never tossed into landfill. Fresh, perishable and other types of unsold, surplus food can be donated by businesses for rescue by schools, charities and non- profit organizations that have registered on FoodRescue.ca. If you know of a food business that could donate, or a social service organization that could rescue food, please ask them to visit

EXPANDING OUR EFFORTS

BECOME A

SECOND HARVESTBECOME A

SECOND HARVEST

Every dollar packs a punch

!

Ever dollar packs a punchtime to put these

spreadsheets awayand go fight hunger!

y

ake Food Rescue Your MissionRun a HERO fundraising campaign at your school or office

w e ‘ve got fundraising ideas for you!Contact Corey Smith: coreys@secondharvest.ca

I ‘m more ofthe quiethero type ...

winning oneof 16 amazingraffle prizesis more myheroic style!

test your hero strength!gather your strongest heroes to start Fundraising NOW for our brand new truck pull event in september!

all in the name of food justice!

Calling all corporate & school teams!

www.secondharvesthero.ca

@SecondHarvestca

secondharvest.ca 1450 Lodestar Rd., Unit 18, Toronto ON M3J 3C1 416-408-2594 Charitable Registration # 13386 5477 RR0001