Food Rescue Project: Fighting Food Waste & Hunger Together

Food Rescue Project: Fighting Food Waste & Hunger Together

Dear community members,

We are excited to share the impact of our Food Rescue Project and the incredible work of our volunteer drivers. In 2024, thanks to their dedication, we collected approximately 5,620 lbs of rescued food—mostly non-perishable items—from Georgetown Bread Basket (GBB) and delivered it to local food banks, like the Brampton’s Knights Table. This initiative helps ensure that good food is shared with those in need, instead of going to waste. When the Amma Canada veggie garden produces a overabundance of produce, that too is delivered by our drivers to local food programs.

History

Out food rescue efforts started in 2017, in cooperation with our long standing community partner, Georgetown Bread Basket, where we serve take-out vegetarian chilli on a monthly basis to their food bank clients. Excess non-perishable food collected at the GBB was initially delivered to our downtown Toronto community partner, St Felix Centre, until they began a renovation to their kitchen in 2021. Our volunteers then redirected these food donations to nearby Brampton’s Knight Table who gratefully accepted them. Since 2017, Amma Canada has ‘rescued’ an average of 10,000 lbs of useable food each year, and delivered it to food security programs throughout the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Learn more >

A Pause & A Fresh Start

During the holiday season, our food collection efforts took a brief pause over Christmas and New Year’s. We are happy to announce that food donations are resuming at the end of February, and our team is ready to get back on the road, collecting and delivering food to help fight hunger in our communities.

How It Works

Each week, dedicated volunteers pick up food donations from the GBB, load their vehicles, and drive them to neighbouring community food programs, who can incorporate the food into their kitchen meals, or donate them directly to their clients. Our volunteer drivers' commitment is more than just transportation—it’s a mission of compassion, sustainability, and community care.

Why This Matters

Food insecurity remains a serious issue, and at the same time, large amounts of usable food often go to waste. Our efforts help bridge this gap by ensuring that surplus food is redirected to those who need it most.

Join the Movement

We are always looking for more hands and hearts to support this mission! If you’re interested in volunteering as a driver, donating food, or spreading the word, we would love to hear from you.

A heartfelt thank you to our volunteers and supporters. Your dedication makes a real difference in the fight against hunger and food waste. Let’s continue working together to build a stronger, more caring community. If you would like to join this charitable project, please contact Mahita or Nandini Melody, or email ammatoronto@ammagroups.org

With gratitude,

Amma’s Charitable Team

Om Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu