Supporting the North York Harvest Food Bank in meeting rising food scarcity needs in Toronto - by Councillor James Pasternak, seconded by Councillor Lily Cheng

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The decision

2025-06-25 · Toronto City Council · adopted

As filed

City Council on June 25 and 26, 2025, adopted the following: 1. City Council direct the City Manager, in consultation with the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, to report back to City Council by the third quarter of 2025 on options to support North York Harvest Food Bank's capital investment requirements need, in order to bring their new warehouse space and skills development Centre located at 4050 Chesswood Drive into operation to meet regional demands, considering the following options: a.

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one-time non-repayable grant; b. low-interest loan and/or financing; and c. property tax cancellation.

On the agenda

As the city filed it

North York Harvest Food Bank is the primary food bank serving northern Toronto. Over the last several years, due to a food insecurity emergency in Toronto the visits to the food bank have tripled. The current North York Harvest Food Bank warehouse does not have the capacity to meet these record levels of food insecurity. A move is underway. The plans for North York Harvest Food Bank's new location at 4050 Chesswood Drive will double the warehousing capacity of the food bank as well as provide job skills training and work placements.

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The plans for 4050 Chesswood Drive will further serve as a hub for economic development and community wealth in line with the strategic priorities of the Inclusive Economic Development Working Table. Exploring options for the City of Toronto to support this new food distribution hub aligns with the City of Toronto Poverty Reduction Strategy, Toronto's Social Capital policy, and other policies supporting equity seeking groups.

Staff recommended

Councillor James Pasternak, seconded by Councillor Lily Cheng, recommends that: 1. City Council direct the City Manager, in consultation with the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, to report back to City Council by the third quarter of 2025 on options to support North York Harvest Food Bank's capital investment requirements need, in order to bring their new warehouse space and skills development Centre located at 4050 Chesswood Drive into operation to meet regional demands, considering the following options: a.

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one-time non-repayable grant; b. low-interest loan and/or financing; and c. property tax cancellation.

On the record

The item as the City filed it

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