TORONTO - (April 20, 2023) Speaking from the Allan Gardens Food Bank, Ana Bailão shared her plan to support the important work done by food banks across Toronto, feeding and supporting low-income residents.

With Toronto residents facing both an affordability and a housing crisis, the number of people relying on food banks continues to increase. Last year Daily Bread Food bank visits surpassed 2 million, and show no sign of slowing down. More people visited Daily Bread Food Bank locations last month, than at any time in the charity’s 40-year history. Ana’s plan includes common sense proposals that will help relieve the considerable pressure food banks are experiencing on their resources, their infrastructure, and their staff.

To address these significant challenges, Ana Bailão is proposing a plan to address City-wide food insecurity by: 

• Investing $2 million more into the Community Partnership and Investment Program (CPIP) for organizations that serve equity-deserving communities and create a dedicated funding stream for food security and sustainability programs that increase access and availability of food in Toronto;
• Providing access to vacant city spaces for food banks, allowing them to lower their overheads and direct more of their funding to the important work they do;
• Working with community partners to transform more underutilized green spaces where housing can’t be built such as hydro corridors, into community gardens where fresh healthy food can be grown to support community need;
• Connecting national grocery chains with community food organizations and pushing them to donate food rather than discarding it; and
• Launching an annual Food Drive from the Office of the Mayor, working with Councillors and community partners to benefit food banks across Toronto.
  
  

Speaking to her plan Ana said “Food banks are an essential service for far too many Toronto residents. I am focused on fixing services, and building housing to address both the housing and affordability crisis facing our city’s residents. We need common sense policies to address the challenges facing our city--including food insecurity. My plan will support Food Banks across our city to continue doing the important work they do.”

Speaking to the importance of taking action, Neil Heatherington, Chief Executive Officer of The Daily Bread Food Bank said “There has never been a greater need for this city to prioritize food security. Food banks all across Toronto are at a breaking point and people are struggling more and more to put food on their table. Innovative policies like this will help mitigate the tremendous pressure food banks are under, while providing healthy food to neighbours in need."

Ana is running with a plan to fix services, build housing, and make life more affordable for residents. Ana has the experience to deliver on her vision for a better Toronto. She has a proven track record and will work with City Councillors, with other governments, and with community leaders to fix services, and deliver for Toronto.