By Kezia Royer-Burkett, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
In the heart of Halton Region, a collaborative effort is underway to combat food insecurity through an innovative hub-and-spoke model. Feed Halton, a distribution centre, serves as a crucial resource for local food banks and community organizations, ensuring that no one in the region goes hungry.
This morning, MPP Natalie Pierre, Burlington city councillors Angelo Bentivegna, Rory Nisan, and Paul Sharman, a representative of MP Karina Gould’s office, and members of Feed Ontario, the Burlington Chamber of Commerce, and the Lions Club of Burlington gathered at Feed Halton’s warehouse to learn about the organization’s impactful work and to help sort and organize food donations. Everyone rolled up their sleeves to contribute to the fight against food insecurity in the Halton Region.
Food banks and donation agencies often face the daunting challenge of refusing donations due to limited storage space. For example, Kraft Heinz may wish to donate ten skids of products, but without the capacity to accept them, they have to decline.
Enter Feed Halton: “We act as a support network,” explained Krista Kay, Feed Halton’s director of marketing and community fundraising. “Agencies can contact us to take in surplus products, allowing food banks to take what they need while we allocate the rest throughout the Halton Region or store the donation for them.”
One significant partnership exists with Kerr Street Mission in Oakville, which, despite receiving community donations from grocery stores and local churches weekly, struggles to manage the volume of people requiring food support. Feed Halton steps in to sort and package these donations, delivering them as needed. Volunteers also participate in sorting canned goods, ensuring that everything meets quality standards before distribution.
To streamline operations, Feed Halton employs Primarius, a warehouse management system that allows partner agencies to order supplies online.
“They can log in, check their inventory needs, and place orders,” said Kay. “Our warehouse manager then picks these orders, which are either delivered or picked up by the agencies.”
Funding for Feed Halton comes from various sources. “A philanthropist approached us and pledged a donation if the Halton Region matched it. Thankfully, the region stepped up, allowing us to secure sufficient funding to launch our services,” Kay shared.
Currently, Feed Halton operates with a dedicated staff of seven and heavily relies on volunteers to sustain its programs. The organization has recently introduced a new volunteer management system called Better Impact, enabling individuals to sign up and specify their skills and availability. This inclusive approach ensures that everyone, from youth to seniors, can find meaningful ways to contribute, whether through sorting, labelling, or quality checking.
Since its inception in November 2023, Feed Halton has been a lifeline for local food agencies, rescuing tens of thousands of canned goods and facilitating community food drives. One notable initiative is their collaboration with Halton Food Connect, which delivers fresh produce directly to Ontario Works clients. This program collects food from local grocery stores and farms and has made over a thousand deliveries each month, with plans for continued expansion.
“Once we receive our charity status, we anticipate accommodating 60–80% of Halton’s food needs,” Kay shared. “Our mission is clear: no one in this region should go hungry.”
The statistics are staggering: an estimated 14% of the Halton population faces food insecurity. Feed Halton stands as a beacon of hope in this crisis, emphasizing the importance of community support.
“There is enough food for everyone,” Kay stated firmly. “We’re here to provide stability in the food system and serve the community.”
As Feed Halton continues to grow and strengthen its network, it invites individuals and organizations to join the fight against food insecurity. Together, we can ensure that all families have access to the nourishment they need to thrive. For more information on Feed Halton, including how you can get involved, head to www.feedhalton.ca.
