Essential food is packaged and organized for distribution across North York Harvest Food Bank’s network, which supports 30,000 clients visits each month. Photo: North York Harvest Food Bank
Inclusive Local Economies
How North York Harvest Food Bank Is Redefining What a Food Bank Can Be
2025

North York Harvest Food Bank began with a simple goal: get food to people who need it. But over time, their real ambition came into focus — to help people not need a food bank.

From its roots in an auto body shop in Lawrence Heights to its current role as a community anchor and systems innovator, North York Harvest has grown with that ambition — from early experiments in food incubation to bold workforce and procurement strategies that are now influencing policy across Toronto.

Since 2011, Metcalf has invested over $600,000 in North York Harvest, helping catalyze and sustain a series of forward-thinking initiatives. At the heart of these efforts is a consistent commitment to turning the assets of a food bank into engines of opportunity and community wealth.

Training People for Good Jobs

 
A participant in North York Harvest’s Leadership in Logistics program receives forklift training. Photo: North York Harvest Food Bank

A standout example is Leadership in Logistics, a workforce training program designed to connect individuals struggling to find decent work with stable, entry-level roles in warehouse and logistics operations. Recognized last year with a Feed Ontario Innovation Award, the program is as practical as it is transformative.

Delivered by North York Harvest in partnership with Canadian Tire, the program offers a unique blend of hands-on training, certifications, and paid work experience to create a practical, supportive pathway into the labour market. Over the course of a four-week placement at the North York Harvest warehouse, participants gain experience in inventory management, forklift operation, and workplace safety, while building the confidence and skills needed to succeed.

Graduates gain direct access to job opportunities at Canadian Tire warehouse locations and with other local employers. Since launching in 2023, more than 80% of participants have completed the program and secured full-time employment.

Inspired by a similar program in another province, Leadership in Logistics has been adapted to the needs of the local community — and its early success has drawn the attention of food banks across the country.

Making Healthy Food More Accessible

Revenue generated from FoodReach supports North York Harvest Food Bank’s operations. Photo: North York Harvest Food Bank

Another example of North York Harvest’s innovative approach is FoodReach — a social enterprise that helps community organizations like shelters, schools, and housing providers access healthy food at lower cost.

Using North York Harvest’s warehouse infrastructure, FoodReach allows nonprofits to order wholesale food through a simple online platform, without needing to meet large volume minimums. This saves organizations time and money, while ensuring access to high-quality food and supporting North York Harvest’s broader mission.

FoodReach now supports 175 agencies and delivers hundreds of thousands of pounds of food across Toronto, Hamilton, and Barrie each year. It’s become an essential tool for many, especially as rising demand continues to strain community resources.

At a time when global trade disruptions, tariffs, and inflation are putting added pressure on local supply chains, FoodReach is demonstrating the power of coordinated, community-led solutions.

Connecting Local Action to Policy Change

North York Harvest’s impact extends beyond its programs. Through initiatives like Leadership in Logistics and FoodReach, they are shaping how policymakers think about food access, workforce development, and community infrastructure.

They regularly engage with municipal partners and sector leaders to share insights and shape policy rooted in what works on the ground.

This dual and mutually reinforcing approach — combining service delivery with systems thinking — has become central to how North York Harvest drives change. By addressing both immediate needs and systemic barriers, they have redefined what a food bank can be: not only a place of emergency support, but a platform for economic inclusion, policy innovation, and long-term community well-being.