Task force launched to guarantee food supply for vulnerable Canadians

Mar 19 2020, 2:50 pm

A nation-wide task force has been launched in order to guarantee a food supply for vulnerable Canadians amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Launched by the country’s largest food rescue organization, Second Harvest, the Food Rescue Canadian Alliance (FRCA) Task Force is a national network that will support food redistribution efforts across the supply chain during the crisis.

The goal of the alliance is to make food available to organizations and reach populations that are in acute need.

Consisting of national leaders and including collaboration between the food industry, non-profits, and government, members include businesses like Loblaw Co. Ltd. and Sysco, and charities like Breakfast Club of Canada, Salvation Army, and food banks.

“In times like these, vulnerable community members need our support the most,” said Lori Nikkel, CEO of Second Harvest, in a release.

“With over 60,000 non-profit organizations in Canada supporting people, we must work together — there is no organization that can do this alone.”

Through Food Rescue, a free, easy-to-use donation platform, businesses that have food can be connected to and donate to non-profit organizations.

The website can be mobilized immediately to support food recovery and distribution during this uncertain time, and allows for coordination with minimal interaction, which supports social distancing.

A recently-completed national mapping project by Second Harvest — in partnership with Value Chain Management International — identified over 60,000 Canadian organizations that provide food to populations that are vulnerable.

Through these means, tens of thousands of community food programs across the country who are struggling to access food for their program participants can be supported.

“We want to make sure that food relief organizations across the country that stay open can provide critical, life-saving support to our most marginalized communities,” Nikkel said.

Kayla GladyszKayla Gladysz

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