We’re not ashamed to admit that we have an endless passion for food. Part of that affection, though, means acknowledging some of the biggest issues in the industry right now: food waste and food insecurity. Every year in Canada, a staggering 58 per cent of produced food goes to waste. At the same time, 6.9 million Canadians continue to lack consistent access to food.
The downsides of food waste don't end there. It also hurts the environment; 56.5 million tonnes of harmful CO₂E emissions are released every year by wasted food. It goes without saying that this is a major problem that requires urgent action.
Those big numbers might seem daunting, but there’s good news. Through donating, volunteering or getting involved in initiatives, you can make a difference. Second Harvest, Canada’s largest food rescue organization, has made it their mission to save surplus edible food and redirect it to over 3,700 frontline non-profit agencies across the country.
Year-round, they prevent millions of pounds of food from going to waste, and in turn make nutrition accessible for Canadians. In 2022, Second Harvest rescued and redistributed a whopping 53.3 million pounds of food to people in need. We’re always inspired by their passionate efforts to address food waste and food insecurity.
This month, your support for Second Harvest will go twice as far. September is Hunger Action Month, and for its duration, TUMS will be matching every donation to Second Harvest, up to $75,000.
Your impact will be doubled — for every $10 donated, $20 will be put into action through Second Harvest. Every dollar donated equals six meals for people in Canada facing food insecurity.
The volunteers and staff at Second Harvest work hard every day to help Canadians in need, and to make our world a better place by protecting the environment. They collaborate with local businesses, volunteers and community members to make a real difference in people’s lives.
Second Harvest isn't just a charity; it's a movement that brings communities together to create lasting change.
To find out more about how you can help Second Harvest with its mission to rescue and redistribute food, visit their website here.