Founded in 1985, FoodShare is a Toronto-based social enterprise and community development charity that aims to improve access to fresh produce, encourage healthy eating, and build sustainable neighbourhoods. FoodShare’s mission is to “increase knowledge and access to good healthy foods.” FoodShare Toronto operates based on principles of food justice - the charity recognizes that marginalized and vulnerable groups have reduced access to healthy food due to inequalities in the food system. For example, low socioeconomic status influences what neighbourhood you live in, which impacts your distance to a grocery store and/or ability to afford fresh food. In 2018, FoodShare's programs reached 264,089 people across Toronto. 

FoodShare’s Growing programs include support for the development of community gardens, workshops to teach people about gardening, and a mid-scale composting system to produce nutrient-rich soil. In 2018, 7,600 lbs of produce were harvested from school gardens. Further, FoodShare’s workshops trained 8,368 people to grow food.   

FoodShare’s Fresh Produce programs include delivering food boxes filled with healthy food, referring community members to local low-cost food programs, delivering affordable fruits and vegetables to schools, daycare centers and community hubs. In 2018, FoodShare delivered 1,686,076 pounds of fresh food across Toronto neighbourhoods. FoodShare also operated 46 Food Markets to provide affordable produce in low-access areas. 

FoodShare’s Cooking programs include operating a catering company where proceeds are given to the charity, providing individuals with access to a professional kitchen, delivering soup in the winter, and cooking meals for its staff, volunteers and guests. In addition, FoodShare runs 826 student nutrition programs that reached 208,766 kids in F2018.  

FoodShare recognizes the importance of reconciliation and working with indigenous communities who are vulnerable to a lack of access to healthy food. In 2018, the charity co-created the Indigenous Advisory Circle to advise programming, policies and advocacy work. The circle sets the agenda for advancing Indigenous food sovereignty. 

FoodShare Toronto is a medium-sized charity with donations and special events revenues of $2.6m in 2018. Administrative costs are 4% of revenues (excluding investment income), and fundraising costs are 9% of donations. For every dollar donated to the charity, 88 cents go towards FoodShare’s programs, which is within Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending. FoodShare Toronto has funding reserves of $1.4m. This results in a program cost coverage ratio of 34%, meaning the charity can cover annual programs for 4 months using its existing reserves. 

This charity report is an update that was sent to FoodShare Toronto for review. Changes and edits may be forthcoming. 

Updated on June 28, 2019 by Caroline McKenna.