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Curious about Second Harvest events, jobs and operations? Find out more below!
Have a lot of food to donate? Our Palletized Donation feature on the Second Harvest Food Rescue App makes it simple. Whether your donation requires a high-capacity vehicle for transport or must be loaded at dock-level, our system will match your donation with a local non-profit that can meet your logistical requirements — and they’ll come prepared to load and handle your donation as needed. Now you can give even more to your community with no hassle at pick-up!
Second Harvest will provide a tax receipt if eligibility criteria are met. The responsibility for proof falls to us, the registered charity, to validate the dollar amount of the receipt.
We take food safety seriously and ask that food donors and recipient organizations comply with their provincial or territorial food safety requirements. All facilities need to be up to date with health inspections and food safe handling training for anyone who prepares food. Our training and education programs provide tools, training and safe food handler certification to our non-profit partners, ensuring they meet and exceed food safety standards.
Any food that is safe to eat can be donated. Check out our Best Before Date Timetable for a quick guide on when foods can be donated and consumed. Additionally, to ensure everyone’s safety, these foods cannot be donated:
Second Harvest is Canada's largest food rescue charitable organization. Second Harvest works with thousands of food businesses from across the supply chain to reduce the amount of edible food going to waste. This model helps redirect surplus food to thousands of charities and non-profits across Canada.
Food rescue is the action of preventing good surplus food from being wasted by collecting it and redistributing it to feed people.
An innovative app streamlining surplus food rescue! Connects donors with recipients, ensuring seamless and efficient redistribution, curbing waste, and addressing hunger. A digital solution fostering a more sustainable and equitable food distribution system.
Second Harvest operates across Canada. Our headquarters are located in Etobicoke, Ontario at 120 The East Mall.
If you are a company with surplus food from your day-to-day operations or a one-time event, you can use the Second Harvest Food Rescue app to connect with non-profits with food programs in your area.
Any food that is safe to eat can be donated, with certain exceptions. We cannot accept food that has been exposed to public touch, prepared food that has been in the temperature danger zone for two hours or more, items with alcohol or medicinal ingredients, packaged food that has been opened or has a broken seal, sushi and food from people's homes. Check out our Best Before Date Timetable for a quick guide on when foods can be donated and consumed.
If you're looking to drop off food, it's best to contact Second Harvest directly or to use the Second Harvest Food Rescue App to ensure that your donation can be properly received. The app allows donors to create donation offers, which can then be claimed by registered rescuers. While the app primarily focuses on rescuing food through pick-ups, it also supports drop-offs at Second Harvest when arranged.
Organizations interested in receiving food from Second Harvest can do so through a few different programs and platforms:
1. Second Harvest Food Rescue App: To become a recipient of rescued food through the Second Harvest Food Rescue App, non-profit organizations can register online. Once your profile is approved (which typically takes about a week), you will receive notifications when food donations become available. You can then select the rescues you want and arrange to pick up the food.
2. Brokering and Third-Party Logistics: For large amounts of rescued food, Second Harvest staff may broker the donations directly or use third-party logistics to transport the food. This service is available across the country for both food donors and non-profits who may not be comfortable using the Second Harvest Food Rescue App.
3. Direct Delivery: Second Harvest operates a fleet of trucks and vans that deliver food to more than 400 non-profits across Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area.
Yes, Second Harvest does offer delivery services as part of our food rescue and redistribution efforts. Currently, we only offer a direct delivery service in Toronto, but we do also coordinate large-scale food deliveries across Canada on an ad hoc basis.
In the Greater Toronto Area, we have a fleet of trucks and vans that operate seven days a week, delivering food to more than 400 non-profits. The food we deliver is primarily perishable items such as fruits, vegetables, meat, cheese, juice, milk and more, which are rescued because they are close to their best before dates, overstocked, mislabelled, discounted or have damaged packaging.
When it comes to the legal implications of giving food away, there are several important points to consider:
Food Safety: Any food that is safe to eat can be donated, with certain exceptions. You cannot donate food that has been exposed to public touch, prepared food that has been in the temperature danger zone for two hours or more, items with alcohol or medicinal ingredients, packaged food that's been opened or has a broken seal, sushi, and food from people's homes.
Liability Protection: In Canada, there is legislation in place to protect companies and individuals who donate food rather than throwing it away. There has never been a documented case in Canada or the United States of a business that donated surplus food being sued. It’s perfectly legal to donate — or even sell — food past its best-before date.
Compliance with Legislation: By donating food through platforms like the Second Harvest Food Rescue App, you agree to comply with the applicable Donation of Food Legislation, which stipulates that you will not donate or distribute donated food that is adulterated, rotten or otherwise unfit for human consumption.
Yes, Second Harvest welcomes food donations.
We have a comprehensive food rescue program that includes fleet and warehouse operations to facilitate the collection and redistribution of surplus food in the Greater Toronto Area.
We also work with food businesses and non-profits across Canada to connect, schedule and track food donations through our Second Harvest Food Rescue App. This platform allows food businesses to offer up surplus food by posting it on the app as a donation. Non-profits are then notified that there is food available that they can claim and pick up for free.
Yes, Second Harvest does pick up food donations. We operate several key programs, including the Food Rescue & Delivery Program. This program involves rescuing and redistributing food through various avenues, including an in-house fleet and warehouse that operates seven days a week across the Greater Toronto Area, rescuing and redistributing food directly from donors to non-profits.
We also leverage national brokering via third-party logistics partners to rescue and redistribute surplus food from donors, connecting it to non-profits with food programs across Canada.
A corporate partnership is a collaboration between a company and an organization for mutual benefit.
At Second Harvest, we work closely with partners that believe in our goals, using shared resources across projects encompassing philanthropy, marketing or other business initiatives.
To make a financial donation to Second Harvest and contribute to our mission of reducing food waste, you can follow these steps:
For individual donations:
- Visit the Second Harvest website and click on the red 'Donate' button on the homepage. This will lead you to our secure donation page.
- You can select a predefined amount or enter a custom amount that you wish to donate.
- You have the option to make a one-time donation or set up a recurring donation to provide ongoing support.
- Fill in your payment information. Second Harvest accepts various forms of payment, including credit card and PayPal.
After making a donation, you will receive a tax receipt via email. This receipt can be used for tax deduction purposes, as Second Harvest is a registered charity.
For corporate donations:
- Visit the section of the Second Harvest website called "Donations and Partnerships" to explore your options. For straightforward fund donations, fill out the form to make a corporate donation.
Your support will directly aid Second Harvest in their operations to rescue surplus food and ensure it reaches those in need, effectively reducing food waste and contributing to a more sustainable environment.
To gift stocks in Canada, you'll need to provide your donor information, specify if you want your donation directed to a particular area and provide broker or custodian information for the transfer. It's important to authorize the transfer as a charitable donation to the organization, such as Second Harvest.
Please note that tax laws and regulations can change, so it's advisable to consult with a financial advisor or tax professional to ensure compliance with the latest rules and to maximize the tax benefits of your gift. Additionally, make sure that the charity selected is a registered public charity capable of accepting such gifts and can provide you with the necessary tax receipts.
To gift stocks in Canada, you'll need to provide your donor information, specify if you want your donation directed to a particular area, and provide broker or custodian information for the transfer. It's important to authorize the transfer as a charitable donation to the organization, such as Second Harvest.
Please note that tax laws and regulations can change, so it's advisable to consult with a financial advisor or tax professional to ensure compliance with the latest rules and to maximize the tax benefits of your gift. Additionally, make sure that the charity is a registered public charity capable of accepting such gifts and can provide you with the necessary tax receipts.
A gift-in-kind or in-kind donation involves contributing goods or services instead of cash. Examples include donated items or professional services, tangibly benefiting recipients. Non-profits often rely on such donations to support their missions.
Legacy giving involves leaving a lasting impact by including a non-profit or charity in your will. It ensures your values endure, supporting a cause you care about even after your lifetime.
Food temperature should be checked:
• When accepting or picking up a donation to ensure the type and weight of the food can be transported within the safe temperature range during the pick-up time window.
• During transportation, using food-safe equipment like coolers or insulated bags and ice packs for temperature-sensitive food to prevent any risk of contamination.
• Upon arrival at the destination, to confirm that the food has been maintained at safe temperatures throughout the journey.
• Regularly throughout storage, to ensure that refrigerated foods are kept at 0-4 degrees Celsius and that food is not kept in the temperature danger zone of 4-60 degrees Celsius for any significant length of time.
It's also important to remember that food should never be left in the temperature danger zone for more than 2 hours to prevent "temperature abuse" and rapid bacterial growth.
When transporting frozen food, it's essential to maintain the cold chain to ensure food safety. Here are some guidelines to ensure the best results:
1. Use proper equipment: Ensure you have clean food-grade storage bins or coolers and cold packs to keep the product cold during transportation. This is required by law in Canada.
2. Preparation: Clean and sanitize your cooler container, cold packs, and thermometer. Prepare for your rescue by placing cold packs into the cooler container.
3. During pick-up: Transfer temperature-sensitive items from the donor's refrigerator or freezer directly into your cooler container. Set the cold packs on top of the food to ensure that the air inside stays cold.
4. Transportation: If a high-capacity and/or dock-level vehicle is required for transport, ensure that the recipient non-profit can meet your logistical requirements. For smaller quantities, any type of food-safe cooler and cold packs will suffice.
5. Upon return: Immediately place food items into a fridge or freezer at your facility. Select one chilled product that you’ve rescued and take its temperature. If a donation has both frozen and chilled food, take the temperature of each type, as quickly as possible.
6. Documentation: Maintain Food Transport Temperature Logs and ensure they are accessible for at least one year. Temperature checks are required, and food donors may request to see logs to confirm cold chain management.
Remember, it's crucial to avoid thawing and re-freezing frozen foods, as this can compromise food safety.
To check the temperature of food, you should use a cleaned and sanitized probe thermometer to verify the internal temperatures. For hazardous foods, it's recommended to follow the minimum internal temperatures as per best available evidence for 15 seconds. Here are some recommended minimum internal cooking temperatures for various foods:
• Whole poultry: 82°C (180°F)
• Ground poultry, poultry products, poultry pieces: 74°C (165°F)
• Food mixtures containing poultry, eggs, meat, fish, or other hazardous food: 74°C (165°F)
• Pork, pork products, ground meat other than ground poultry: 71°C (160°F)
• Fish: 70°C (160°F)
• Seafood: 70°C (158°F)
Remember, the leading cause of foodborne illness is time and temperature abuse, so it's crucial to ensure that food is cooked and reheated to these safe temperatures to reduce harm.
A best-before date is an estimate given by the manufacturer indicating when the product will likely be at its peak quality or freshness. It is not a food safety indicator and does not imply that the food is unsafe to consume after the date has passed. In contrast, an expiry date is used for certain regulated products and indicates the date after which the product should not be consumed because it may no longer be safe or effective. In Canada, only a few specific food items, such as baby formula and meal replacements, are required to have an expiry date.
It's important to note that most foods can be consumed past the best-before date, and one can use their senses to determine if the food is still safe to eat. Signs of spoilage, such as changes in color, texture, or odor, are more reliable indicators of food safety than the best-before date.
Frozen food should be kept at a temperature of -18°C (0°F) or colder to ensure safety and quality. This temperature helps prevent the growth of bacteria and maintains the food in a frozen state. It's important to monitor the freezer temperature regularly and adjust settings as needed to maintain the correct temperature.
To keep track of food temperatures it’s important to follow these steps:
1. Use separate equipment for different types of food to prevent cross-contamination, such as color-coded cutting boards for raw and cooked foods. It's crucial to wash, rinse, and sanitize these boards regularly.
2. Maintain proper storage environments for foods, ensuring that potentially hazardous foods do not contaminate others.
3. Utilize a Food Temperature Guide and Temperature Log to record temperature-sensitive foods that enter the facility. This is a requirement as per the Terms and Conditions to ensure the safety of clients.
4. Implement Food Transport Temperature Logs to record temperatures of rescued temperature-sensitive food, with logs being kept for one year. These logs should be placed on the front of each fridge or freezer and record internal temperatures twice daily.
5. Ensure compliance with local legislation regarding food safety and health inspections, which may vary by province or territory.
Food waste refers to the food that is discarded or uneaten. The causes of food waste or loss are numerous and occur at the stages of production, processing, retailing, and consumption. Addressing food waste is important due to its negative impacts on the environment, economy, and food security.
In Canada, it is estimated that $49 billion worth of food is wasted every year. This staggering amount represents a significant economic loss and has serious environmental and social implications. The food waste includes perfectly good, edible food that ends up in landfills instead of nourishing people, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and exacerbating food insecurity issues.
Food Waste is a significant problem for several reasons:
• Economic Loss: Food waste represents a substantial economic loss. For instance, in Canada, $49 billion worth of food is wasted every year. This amount could feed every Canadian for five months, yet food insecurity persists, with 1 in 7 Canadians reporting being food insecure.
• Environmental Impact: When food goes to landfill, it breaks down into methane gas, which is eighty times more potent as a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide, contributing to global warming. If food wastage were a country, it would be the third-largest greenhouse gas emitter.
• Resource Waste: Food waste also signifies a waste of resources used in production, such as water, land, and energy, exacerbating the environmental footprint.
• Social Implications: Food waste has social implications, as it occurs in a world where many still suffer from hunger and malnutrition. It's a paradox where excess food is not reaching those in need due to distribution problems.
• Supply Chain Inefficiencies: Food waste highlights inefficiencies in the food supply chain, from production to households, where better management could improve food distribution and reduce waste.
• Missed Opportunities: There is a missed opportunity for businesses to reduce costs and for non-profits to receive more donations that could aid in their missions to feed the hungry and support communities.
Addressing food waste is crucial for economic, environmental, and social sustainability. It requires a collective effort from individuals, businesses, and governments to create a more efficient and equitable food system.
The majority of food waste occurs at the consumer level, with households contributing to 51% of the total waste. This is followed by processing and packaging stages, which account for 18% of the waste. Other significant contributors include retail (11%), food service (8%), and field (9%). Distribution accounts for a smaller portion at 3%.
Donating food makes a significant impact on various levels, both socially and environmentally. Here's how:
• Economic Impact: For every dollar spent on food waste reduction, businesses can benefit from a 1,300% return on investment. This comes from not buying food that would have been lost or wasted, increasing the share of food sold to customers, introducing new product lines made from food that otherwise would have been lost or wasted, reducing waste management costs, and other savings.
• Social Impact: By donating surplus food, businesses can feed people in need within their communities, strengthening local relationships with non-profit organizations (NFPs). For example, in 2021, Amanda's No Frills in BC donated enough surplus food to provide 80,917 meals to the community, demonstrating the substantial social benefit of food.
• Environmental Impact: Donating food helps avoid greenhouse gases (GHGs) by diverting food from landfills. The act of rescuing and redistributing food also contributes to a more sustainable food system.
• Community Engagement: Food donation platforms like Second Harvest's Food Rescue App facilitate easy scheduling of donation pick-ups and tracking of donation data, allowing for flexible and ongoing contributions to local charities and non-profits. This fosters community connections and actions that provide local food access to a higher number of people through charitable and non-profit organizations.
• Operational Benefits: Businesses like grocery stores can become nearly waste-free, leading to cost savings in garbage removal and operations. This also increases employee engagement and aligns with corporate social responsibility goals.
• Supporting Non-Profits: Second Harvest, for instance, has been able to redistribute significant amounts of food to various non-profits, supporting over 4.8 million people through 14,000+ food programs at 4,400+ non-profit organizations across Canada in 2023 alone.
In summary, donating food not only helps in feeding the hungry and reducing food insecurity but also contributes to the reduction of environmental waste and supports the economic benefits for businesses and communities. It's a powerful way to make a positive difference on multiple fronts.
Despite its wealth, many Canadians face barriers to accessing nutritious food. Factors like income inequality, high living costs, and inadequate social support contribute to this challenge. We aim to foster awareness and collaborative efforts toward creating a more food-secure Canada for all.
The two food groups most often wasted are fruits and vegetables. Their perishable nature, aesthetic standards, and consumer habits contribute to significant losses throughout the food supply chain. Addressing this waste is essential for promoting sustainability and ensuring more efficient use of resources in the food system.
Run a successful fundraising campaign by setting clear goals, crafting a compelling story, and engaging your community through suitable platforms. Establish a realistic timeline, offer donor incentives, and express gratitude consistently. Adapt and monitor your strategy for optimum impact.
The Rescue Party was a fundraising event hosted by Second Harvest, featuring an evening of culinary excellence and entertainment. It brings together Toronto's most celebrated restaurants and chefs, along with premium beverage purveyors. The event is known for its live music, variety of entertainers, raffle draw with a wide range of prizes, specialty lounges, and interactive stations, making it a memorable experience for a good cause. Our last Rescue Party was held in 2023.
The Second Harvest Truck Pull is a unique fundraising event where teams of 10 compete to pull a 20,000-pound delivery truck across Nathan Phillips Square in the fastest time. This challenge aims to raise funds for Second Harvest’s food rescue and redistribution efforts.
Second Harvest is a registered charity and issues donation receipts in accordance with Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) guidelines.
Please note: not all donations are eligible for income tax receipts.
While it is not mandatory for charities to provide receipts for donations, we have established a process to do so if the gift is eligible. Under current Canadian tax law, donors of food and consumer products receive no tax benefit for their donation. It is at Second Harvest’s discretion, as per guidelines outlined by the CRA, as to whether tax receipts for food donations are issued.
Often, food donors will write off the cost of the product, or a percentage of the cost, and can do so within the regulations of the CRA and do not require a receipt. Thus, if the value of the donation is within the write-off allowances, the company can take the tax write-off without a charitable receipt. As backup, Second Harvest is happy to provide our food donor partners an Acknowledgement Letter, on our letterhead, that confirms the products donated, without a dollar value attached. You can request an Acknowledgement Letter for your donation through your key contact at Second Harvest.
Yes, gifts-in-kind are generally tax deductible. However, there are specific conditions that must be met for the deduction to be valid. Second Harvest cannot issue tax receipts for donations of gift cards, gift certificates, raffle tickets or services due to Canada Revenue Agency regulations. This implies that while some gifts-in-kind are eligible for tax deductions, others are not, depending on the nature of the gift and the regulations governing such donations.
A charitable tax receipt is an official document issued by a registered charity to acknowledge a donation. It serves as proof of the donation and includes essential details such as the name and address of the charity, the amount donated, and the date of the contribution. This receipt is necessary for donors to claim charitable tax credits on their income tax returns.
Only registered charities can offer tax receipts, and since both non-profits and charities are allowed on the Second Harvest Food Rescue App (SHFRA), a tax receipt cannot be guaranteed through the app.
The general guideline is that Second Harvest does not issue receipts for food donated via the Second Harvest Food Rescue App, but non-profits may be able to issue tax receipts directly to businesses for donations as long as specific conditions are met.
Second Harvest will provide a tax receipt if eligibility criteria are met. This includes having a fair market value for the product(s) and proper documentation confirming its value, such as itemized bills of lading, itemized invoices, sales receipts or public websites listing official price sets. The documentation must be received within seven days after the donation was received by Second Harvest.
The policy for food donors at Second Harvest states that for a donation to be eligible for a tax receipt, the product must have a fair market value and be accompanied by proper documentation confirming its value. Documentation such as itemized bills of lading, itemized invoices, sales receipts or public websites listing official price sets must be received within seven days after the donation was received by Second Harvest.
However, the policy does not specify a minimum dollar amount for a donation to be eligible for a tax receipt. It's important to ensure that the product is "out of inventory" and "sellable," excluding items that are close-to-code, mislabelled, damaged or surplus food that cannot be sold.
Yes, Second Harvest offers Food Safety Training. They provide a Food Safety Certification Training which is a full-day session conducted virtually via Zoom. Participants learn safe food handling and industry standards, and upon successful completion, they receive a certification valid for five years with public health across Canada.
To get a Food Handler Certificate, you can attend a training session provided by Second Harvest. They offer in-person sessions at Sistering @ 962 Bloor Street W, with a capacity of 25 trainees. The cost is $25.00 per person, which includes training, a Scantron exam, and a digital certificate. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Additionally, Second Harvest offers a Food Handler Certification Course where participants are trained in best practices for preventing food-borne illness and receive a 5-year certification upon completion. This course is offered in partnership with TrainCan, an accredited food handler certification program, at a subsidized rate for partner agencies.
For those who prefer online training, options are available at foodsafetytraining.ca, where you can complete the certification at your own pace.
To obtain a Food Safety Certificate, you can participate in a Food Safety Certification Training provided by Second Harvest. This training is a full-day session conducted virtually via Zoom, where you will learn safe food handling and industry standards. Upon successful completion, you will be equipped to challenge the certification exam, and if successful, you will receive a 5-year certification valid with public health across Canada.
Food Safety refers to the practices and precautions that are taken to ensure that food is safe to consume and free from contaminants that could cause foodborne illnesses. It encompasses a wide range of measures, including proper food handling, preparation, and storage techniques to prevent contamination and ensure that food remains safe at every stage from production to consumption.
A Food Safety Certificate is a document that certifies an individual has completed training on food safety practices and has passed an examination to demonstrate their knowledge. This certification is crucial for those involved in food preparation and handling to ensure they follow proper procedures to prevent foodborne illnesses. It's important to note that these certifications are often required by law for individuals working in the food service industry and are a testament to their commitment to maintaining high standards of food safety.
A Food Handler Certificate is a certification that indicates an individual has undergone training and passed an exam on the best practices for preventing food-borne illnesses. It is often required for those working in the food and beverage industry to ensure they handle food safely. It's important to note that these certifications are often required by law for individuals working in the food service industry and are a testament to their commitment to maintaining high standards of food safety.
Yes, an NFP (Non-Profit) organization does need a Food Safety Certificate to join Second Harvest. Second Harvest offers full-day certification and self-paced learning modules on Food Safety to ensure best practices are used throughout the community. The full-day training session includes an exam, and upon completion, participants will receive a 5-year certification valid with public health across Canada.
Additionally, it is a requirement to have a staff member or volunteer certified in safe food handling on-site during operational hours. If an NFP does not have their safe food handler certification, Second Harvest provides the course at a subsidized rate, which can be completed through a one-day online option or at your own pace.
It's important to note that every provincial regulation states that you must have someone certified in Safe Food Handling (SFH) on-site for all operating hours, and Second Harvest's terms and conditions require facilities where food is stored and prepared to be inspected by a local public health unit within 18 months of claiming any food through the Second Harvest Food Rescue App.
For more information or to register for the food safety training course, you can contact Second Harvest at training@secondharvest.ca.
A Food Waste Audit is a systematic approach to tracking and analyzing the amount of food waste generated by an organization. It helps identify the sources of waste and opportunities for reduction. Here's how an organization can complete a Food Waste Audit:
1. Plan: Determine the goals of the audit, such as reducing costs, improving sustainability practices, or both. Decide on the timeframe for the audit, which is typically recommended to be four to six weeks, measuring one to three days per week to get a good sample size.
2. Gather Materials: You'll need space for sorting, various bins to collect food waste, protective gear, and weighing scales. Set up the bins by designated waste categories, which could include "Prep Waste," "Spoiled Waste," or "Plate Waste.”
3. Train the Team: Educate the team on how to separate waste according to the categories and ensure they understand the reasons behind the waste.
4. Do: Conduct the audit by sorting and measuring the waste. Use tracking sheets to record the weight and reasons for the waste, being as detailed as possible.
5. Review: Analyze the data collected to understand the patterns and reasons for food waste. This will help in identifying areas for improvement.
6. Action Plan: Develop an action plan based on the audit findings. This should include steps to prevent food waste, recover surplus food, and, if necessary, compost. The plan should become a standard operating procedure for the organization.
The certification process for an NFP (Non-Profit) agency joining Second Harvest involves several steps, including completing an application, ensuring safe food handling practices, and possibly undergoing an audit. The specific duration for certification can vary, but Second Harvest offers a subsidized safe food handling course that can be completed in a one-day online option or at your own pace for $40+ HST.
Additionally, Second Harvest provides resources and templates to help formalize food redistribution agreements and ensure compliance with food safety regulations.
Food literacy goes beyond the plate, encompassing the knowledge and skills needed to make informed choices about what we eat. Dive into the delicious journey of understanding where our food comes from, how it's produced, and its impact on health and the environment. Join us in cultivating a community that values and celebrates food literacy, empowering everyone to make mindful and delicious choices for a healthier, happier world.
Ready to join our food rescue mission? Applying is a breeze! Visit our website, fill out a simple form and we'll connect with you to provide all the details you need to kick off your volunteering journey. It's that easy. Let's make a positive impact together. Apply now!
For many of our positions, all you need is enthusiasm, a passion for reducing food waste and a willingness to help others. Minimum age requirements may apply for opportunities at events, on our trucks and in our warehouse.
Yes, Second Harvest does have volunteer opportunities available at various times of the year throughout Canada. While many of our in-person volunteer activities take place at our headquarters in Toronto, we are always adding new opportunities and encourage anyone interested in representing us from coast to coast to coast to join our national volunteer roster.
Join our vibrant team, connect with fellow volunteers and witness the immediate impact of redirecting surplus food to those in need. Second Harvest volunteers play a crucial role in reducing food waste and fostering a sense of community. Join us for an enriching experience where your time makes a meaningful difference.
Capable of being redirected to feed people, surplus food is food that is still good but could go to waste because it's no longer needed by an individual or business.
Avoidable Food Waste is food that could have been consumed but has instead been wasted. This can include unsold food across the supply chain like unharvested produce in farmers fields, items past the best before date, and food left to go bad at processors, distributors, retail and restaurants.
Rescued food is just like any other food. In Canada, we waste 11.2 million metric tonnes of good, edible food every year. This food is perfectly good to eat, but because we lack a cohesive rescue system, it ends up in landfills instead of on our plates. Second Harvest takes Food Safety seriously and we ask that food donors and recipient organizations comply with Second Harvest's donation and recovery guidelines. All facilities must be up to date with local public health requirements and safe food handlers training. We also offer useful information that helps everyone make the most effective food rescues possible. Second Harvest has many resources to help you donate, rescue and store surplus food.
Every province and territory in Canada has food donation legislation that protects organizations from liability when donating food in good faith. Under the food donation acts, incorporated businesses, non-profits, employees and volunteers are not liable for damages resulting from the consumption of donated food.
Second Harvest takes this assurance one step further by offering education to recipient organizations on safe food handling and by providing a digital paper trail for donations.
Should a business need to recall a product, we know exactly where to find it. We take food safety seriously and ask that food donors and recipient organizations comply with their provincial or territorial food safety requirements. All facilities need to be up to date with health inspections and food-safe handling training for anyone who prepares food.
We take food safety seriously and ask that food donors and recipient organizations comply with their provincial or territorial food safety requirements. All facilities need to be up to date with health inspections and food safe handling training for anyone who prepares food. Our training and education programs provide tools, training, and safe food handler certification to our non-profit partners, ensuring they meet and exceed food safety standards.
There are no donation size limits! Whether it's 10 pounds of food or 10,000 pounds, Second Harvest helps to match your donations to local charities and non-profits who can accept the amount of food you have.
Absolutely. Second Harvest values and prioritizes your existing partnerships. We're here to enhance them if we can, while allowing you to track your impact along the way. If you'd like to check whether we're already working with your partner organization, reach out to us.
Second Harvest will provide a tax receipt if eligibility criteria are met. The responsibility for proof falls to us, the registered charity, to validate the dollar amount of the receipt. Minimum eligibility requirements for requesting a food donation charitable tax receipt include:
- The product(s) must have a fair market value and be accompanied by proper documentation, confirming its value. Accepted documentation includes itemized bills of lading, itemized invoices,
sales receipts, or public websites listing official price sets. Documentation must be received within seven (7) days after the donation was received by Second Harvest.
- Second Harvest may only issue a tax receipt to an individual if there is evidence to show that the individual is the true donor, which includes documentary proof specifying the acquisition by way of the individual's personal cheque/credit/debit account or by way of the corporation donating in the name or on behalf of the individual through the shareholder’s account.
- The product must be “out of inventory” and “sellable,” which excludes close-to-code, mislabelled, damaged, test kitchen product, food service prepared food or surplus food that the company cannot sell.
- The product must have the following minimum number of days left on the best before/expiry dates as outlined by food category below:
o Shelf-stable/non-perishable product: 90 days
o Meat/protein: 14 days
o Dairy/dairy alternatives: 14 days
o Produce: Based on quality
With our food rescue app, it's easy! We're a charity just trying to make the world a better place. You can join us to use the app whenever you have surplus food. For some businesses that is every day, for others it is once a year. We're here when you need us!
We're an environmental organization, so we've set minimums for sending a Second Harvest truck. Businesses in Toronto wishing to use our direct delivery program must have a minimum of 200 pounds of nutrient-dense food (produce, protein, prepared or dairy) to receive a pick-up. Our food rescue programs are always free for our valued network partners.
With our food rescue app, it's easy! We're a non-profit organization just trying to make the world a better place. You can join us, but you never have to claim a donation if you don't want to. You can always turn your notifications on or off to suit your needs.
We're an environmental organization, so we've set minimums for sending a Second Harvest truck. Organizations in Toronto wishing to take part in our direct delivery program must commit to taking 200 pounds of food per week. Our food rescue programs are always free for our valued network partners.
Donations come in all shapes and sizes, depending on the business. A farmer may have thousands of pounds of carrots to donate at the end of a season, while a cafe may have a few sandwiches to donate each workday.
Our food rescue model puts the choice in your hands so that you can see donations in your area and select the ones that are right for you.
To make the system as simple as possible, non-profits must claim and pick up the entire donation that is posted by the business. If you can't pick up the full donation, you can leave it for another organization that can. If you've claimed a donation but later learned that you can't use the food, make the pick-up and then share the food with your network. Committing to donations that you've claimed ensures businesses keep actively donating.
Any charity or non-profit, including remote or Indigenous communities, from across Canada, can join the app.
We are proud to support everyone from shelters providing meals to its residents to Indigenous communities who connect members over a food distribution day to food banks. If you are a non-profit and need food, we hope we can help.
Absolutely. Second Harvest values and prioritizes your existing partnerships. We're here to enhance them when we can, while allowing you to track your impact along the way.
If you'd like to get your donor registered, let them know about the app and ask them to sign up. They can create a special donation just for you.
The Second Harvest fundraising campaign runs year-round, from September 1 to August 31, so you can hold your workplace campaign whenever works best for your team.
Except for the Truck Pull Challenge, where teams must raise a minimum of $2,500 to participate, there is no fundraising minimum to take part in any other facet of the campaign.
You can run your campaign for as long as you like! Whether it's a one-day event, or a campaign that is active for a week, month, or a year!
None at all! There is no fee to register your campaign and all fundraising materials are free to order and have delivered to your home or workplace.
Yes! Please get in touch with us at P2P@secondharvest.ca to arrange a visit!
The funds you raise directly support our food rescue operations. Whether it's supporting maintenance for our food rescue fleet, maintaining the costs associated with our food rescue and donation web platform, or costs associated with our warehouse, your funds allow us to maintain and eventually expand all aspects of our food rescue operations, allowing us to increase our capacity for rescuing more fresh, healthy food. This, in turn, will allow for more food to be redistributed to our social service agency partners and allow for more meals to be provided to those in need.
All volunteer applications are reviewed and applicants whose skills, interests and availability best match the requirements of our current volunteer positions will be contacted by a member of the Volunteer Program Team.
Currently, Second Harvest does not require a Vulnerable Sector Check to volunteer.
Second Harvest does not accept court-appointed volunteers. Due to the high volume of applicants, we give priority to volunteers who are seeking an ongoing commitment with Second Harvest.
Yes, many of our events take place in the evening or on weekends. Check our individual volunteer opportunities or group volunteer opportunities.
The best ways to learn about volunteer opportunities are to join our applicant list, attend a Volunteer Information Session and subscribe to our monthly newsletter, The Harvest Journal. You can subscribe to it at the bottom of this page. You can also follow us on social media and check in regularly on our website.
No, all volunteers, including corporate and community groups are required to book in advance of volunteering with Second Harvest.
Volunteer opportunities for students include helping our drivers distribute rescued food, warehouse support and more. Students must be a minimum age of 16 years old to volunteer with Second Harvest.
Of course! Second Harvest offers a variety of meaningful opportunities for corporate teams to get involved. Please view our corporate opportunities listed above to learn about our year-round activities and contact volunteer@secondharvest.ca to book the team-building experience of your choice.
The Second Harvest Truck Pull Challenge is a corporate team challenge that will be open to public spectators.
Truck Pull is a competition to see which team can pull a Second Harvest delivery truck across Nathan Phillips Square in the fastest time. Teams compete head-to-head in a tournament format. There are also lots of other optional activities to take part in on-site throughout the day!
Each team will be assigned a wave time. You will be expected to be at the event for a minimum of 2 hours. While we appreciate all requests, the earlier you register, the easier it will be to accommodate them.
Assemble a team of 10 people, then register your team. Raise $2,500 to reserve a lane for your team. Get ready to compete against Toronto's top teams to pull a truck 100 feet across Nathan Phillips Square.
Your Second Harvest contact will keep you up to date on fundraising tips, event expectations and safety precautions.
Expect a fun and engaging team bonding experience and the opportunity to connect with our community of passionate supporters. Come cheer for your favourite team and take part in other fun activities at the event. Plus, complimentary food and drinks are available on-site for all participants! We will be awarding the team that raises the most funds with an incredible prize! Stay tuned for these exciting details.
Once your team raises the minimum of $2,500, there are no additional fees to register for the challenge.
Please register your event and a member of the Second Harvest Events Team will be in contact for more information.
If you don't have all the fine details yet, that's okay! Please provide us with a general overview of your event vision to help us get started and fill in all required fields as best you can. This information can be updated as you finalize the event with a member of the Second Harvest event team.
Absolutely! Second Harvest is happy to offer a wide range of marketing and promotional benefits that correspond with your event size and reach. Your event will be listed on our website, you'll have use of our name and logo and be eligible for a Charitable Acknowledgement Receipt in accordance with Canada Revenue Agency guidelines.
Though we wish we could attend every event in support of Second Harvest, we cannot guarantee a Second Harvest representative will be there. If you would like a Second Harvest representative, please submit a request on your event registration form and we will try our best to accommodate.
Second Harvest is not able to provide any funding to event partners. However, when possible, we are more than happy to provide advice or guidance that may help you save on event costs.
The Second Harvest Event Team is happy to explain the best way to approach sponsors however we can't reach out to potential event sponsors on your behalf. If you need help developing the tools or resources to approach potential sponsors, please connect directly with your Second Harvest event team representative.
Volunteer experience will always enhance a resume but volunteering at Second Harvest does not guarantee a paid position at our organization. You can check our Careers page for employment opportunities and requirements for paid positions.
The Second Harvest Truck Pull Challenge is Second Harvest's annual one-of-a-kind race that puts your strength and teamwork to the test. Teams of 10 compete to pull a 20,000-pound delivery truck across Nathan Phillips Square in the fastest time, raising funds for Second Harvest’s food rescue and redistribution efforts.
Second Harvest is Canada's largest food rescue organization. Our mission is to keep food where it belongs: on plates and out of landfills.
