Welcome to the heart of change at the Newmarket Food Pantry! Our Food Waste Program tackles the global challenge of 1.3 billion tonnes of annual edible food waste, reducing financial losses and greenhouse gas emissions. In Canada, over 50 million tonnes of food are discarded each year, with 60% avoidable through improved planning, costing an average Canadian household $1,300 in food waste.
Key Statistics:
- 47% of Canada’s food waste occurs at the household level.
- Canada’s yearly food waste equals 9.8 million tonnes of CO2 emissions.
- Fruits and vegetables constitute 45% of food waste.
- Reducing avoidable food waste could save 3.82 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per tonne of food.
Challenges and Solutions:
- Food waste in Canada is equivalent to 2.1 million cars emitting 9.8 million tonnes of CO2.
- Redirecting surplus edible food could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 3.82 tonnes per tonne of food.
- Legal liability, lack of financial benefit, policies, communication issues, and perceived complexity hinder surplus food donations.
Initiatives and Commitments:
- Canada aims to cut food waste by 50%, with organizations like Food Banks of Quebec and Food Banks Canada redistributing surplus food.
- Community fridges and educational initiatives, such as Health Canada’s Healthy Eating Strategy, reduce food waste and educate consumers.
Food Insecurity:
- In 2018, one in eight Canadian households (4.4 million people) faced food insecurity, including 1.2 million children.
Source: Made In Ca
Our Food Rescue Program plays a pivotal role in preventing edible items from ending up in landfills. We collaborate with local businesses and agencies to rescue safe-for-consumption food, addressing the pressing issue of Food Insecurity.
Our valued partners include:
- Real Canadian Superstore – Newmarket
- Vince’s Market
- Farm Boy
- Little Caesars – Newmarket on Leslie
- Starbucks
- Paeez Fine Foods
- Nature’s Emporium
- Local Farmers (Farmers Market)
Additionally, we collaborate with Food Rescue Agencies receiving donations through larger national companies:
- Food Bank of York Region
- Second Harvest
- York Region Food Network
Your Impact: Last year, our program successfully salvaged an average of 14,000 lbs of food per month, diverting it from landfills and contributing to our collective sustainability efforts.
How this program collaborates with our other initiatives:
- Community Fridge: Dedicated volunteers collect prepared food from local businesses seven days a week, stocking the fridge with items like entrees, sandwiches, pizzas, day-old bread, bakery items, Persian meals, salads, and cut fruit and vegetable trays. These items are promptly packaged, labeled according to Public Health regulations, and utilized by the community almost immediately.
- Community Kitchen: On occasion, the pantry receives large donations of specific items. Our volunteers and community groups then prepare meals using these ingredients for the Community Fridge or our pantry clients, ensuring efficient use of resources.
Join Us in Making a Difference: Extend your business’s impact beyond profits. Be part of our Food Waste Program and contribute to our commitment to reducing food waste and supporting those in need. Reach out to us at information@newmarketfoodpantry.ca or call 905-895-6823 ext 140 to become a valuable partner in fostering a collaborative and sustainable approach to address both environmental concerns and the critical issue of Food Insecurity.
Together, we can make a positive impact on our community and the planet!
For more information or to participate, call 905-895-6823 ext 140 or send an email at information@newmarketfoodpantry.ca.
Have More Questions?
For additional questions, fill out our contact form here and someone will get back to you soon!
Sponsorship Opportunities
Find out more about our sponsorship opportunities email abain@newmarketfoodpantry.ca.
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