North York Harvest Food Bank is a 4-star charity with Average demonstrated impact. It is financially transparent, has overhead spending within Ci's reasonable range, and has above-average results reporting. 

Founded in 1986, the North York Harvest Food Bank (NYH) provides food assistance, education, advocacy, and long-term food solutions to help create a community where all members can meet their food needs. NYH collects and distributes food to 38 member agencies across northern Toronto. It also runs its own community programs and support services.

In F2021, North York Harvest allocated 61% of program spending to food distribution programs and 39% to community food banks and programs. Along with running community gardens and kitchens where program participants can learn skills and socialize, NYH runs three food banks: Bathurst-Finch, Oriole, and Lawrence Heights. NYH reports 244,682 food bank visits in F2021, up 27% from 192,118 in F2020. The charity reports that of its clients, 57% are female, 29% are children (under 18), 12% are seniors, and 45% have a long-term disability or illness. 

NYH’s 2021 Who’s Hungry report describes current statistics on the people and areas most affected by hunger, the causes of hunger, and solutions to hunger in Toronto. NYH published the report in partnership with Daily Bread Food Bank after completing more than 1,400 client interviews. The report states there was a 61% increase in new clients at Toronto food banks in 2021. The report highlights insufficient income support, precarious employment, and lack of affordable housing as primary causes of food insecurity. 

In F2019, North York Harvest merged with FoodReach. FoodReach is a program where non-profit organizations can purchase bulk food from North York Harvest. It had sales of $138k in F2021, making a $23k profit. 

North York Harvest Food Bank had total donations and special events revenue of $3.7m in F2021, compared to $3.2m in F2020 and $1.7m in F2019. Administrative costs are 5% of revenues and fundraising costs are 13% of donations and special events revenue. This results in total overhead spending of 18%. For every dollar donated, 82 cents go to the cause, which is within Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending.

NYH has $2.2m in funding reserves, once $76k in interest-bearing debt is accounted for. The charity could cover 69% or eight months of its annual program costs with reserves. 

This report is an update that was sent to North York Harvest Food Bank for review. Changes and edits may be forthcoming.

Updated August 11, 2022, by Sydney Olexa.