MISSISSAUGA, Ontario – The Maple Leaf Centre for Action on Food Security will invest in four new projects designed to advance food security in Canada. Food Secure Canada, Meal Exchange, Ottawa Food Bank and Kamloops Food Policy Council are the four latest projects to receive funding from the Centre. Since it was established in late 2016, the Centre has committed investments of more than $3.4 million to support 11 different projects. 

 

“It is a national shame that with our wealth as a nation and abundant food, 4 million Canadians face hunger,” said Michael H. McCain, Honorary Chair of the Centre. “This requires policy reform. It requires new ways of tackling the issue. It requires action by business, civil society and individuals.”

 

The new projects include:

 

Food Secure Canada (FSC) – This project will engage stakeholders across Canada through a series of local community meetings to raise the profile of the food security issue, share learnings and research and stimulate action on programs and policies advancing food security. FSC will partner with the Social Planning Council of Sudbury to implement the project.

 

Meal Exchange – This project was designed to engage students in food security issues and initiatives on campuses and within their communities. The Centre will partner with Meal Exchange to identify barriers and develop and pilot strategies at Ryerson Univ. in Toronto and Lakehead Univ. in Thunder Bay.

 

Ottawa Food Bank – This project involves a research study, conducted with the Univ. of Ottawa, on the benefits and impact of different food bank programs and services on its members. A final report will be communicated to key stakeholders across Canada. Research findings will inform the Ottawa Food Bank and other organizations how to move beyond emergency food relief into other programs and services that address member needs and advance food security.

 

Kamloops Food Policy Council (KFPC) – KFPC operates a fruit recovery program where each year surplus fruit is harvested and distributed to emergency food providers and homeowners. With support from the Centre, KFPC will implement a pilot project for creating a variety of after school snacks for the Boys and Girls Club by dehydrating and preparing gleaned fruit. 

 

The Centre supports seven other projects across Canada:

 

For more information about the Centre’s efforts, visit www.feedopportunity.com.