Grocery Store Pilot Project - by Councillor Anthony Perruzza, seconded by Councillor Mike Colle

a not-for-profit model under the City of Toronto with the goal of providing residents with the most affordable food pricing possible; d. financial supports including potential waivers of property taxes, development charges, and other applicable fees, to reduce operating costs and maximize affordability for residents; e. pool purchasing across City food programs, including school food programs, senior residences, and other municipal services to lower costs and build community wealth; and f. prioritizing food purchases from local and regional food producers. 2. City Council direct the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, the Executive Director, Social Development, and Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, in consultation with the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, to report back to Council in the second quarter of 2027 with a vision and strategy for establishing municipally operated grocery stores and broader food security and affordability measures, that considers: a. policy levers available to the City to prevent price gouging by grocery and other retailers, including ensuring retailers licensed by the City are transparent about rates and prices and disclose the use of consumers' personal data and algorithmic pricing; b. engagement with the Provincial and Federal government to strengthen competition and improve choice for residents, including removing the ability of large grocers to restrict competitors from operating on or near their properties; c. the City's Public Markets Action Plan, Black Food Sovereignty Plan, and work to update the City's Food Charter; d. the City's own food procurement, logistics and delivery for libraries, long-term care homes, shelters, daycares and camps as well as School Food Hubs; e. a comprehensive jurisdictional review of municipally-run grocery options, including the potential for diverse operating models led by the City of Toronto or in partnership with non-profit organizations; and f. engaging with the federal and provincial governments for financial or other commitments. 3. City Council request the City Manager to report to the Economic and Community Development Committee in the second quarter of 2027 on options to support non-profit Toronto community food cooperatives, such as Karma Co-op, which maximize food affordability for residents and build community through mutual aid, trading volunteer labour for reduced food costs, and eliminating commercial profit margins. 4. City Council direct the Executive Director, Social Development to request staff look at alternative models for delivery of groceries locally which takes advice/consultation from industry expertise to lower food costs for the City of Toronto. 5. City Council direct the Executive Director, Social Development to report back to the Economic and Community Development Committee in the second quarter 2027, as part of the ongoing development of the updated Food Charter for Toronto and ongoing work on the Universal School Food Program and Black Food Sovereignty Plan, with recommendations on establishing a program advisory body to guide the City's work to set food policy in Toronto, informed by lessons learned from the Toronto Food Policy Council.