Our Impact

We’re making an impact – but there’s still much more to do.

41 million

Pounds of food rescued and redistributed

$120 million

Worth of food rescued and redistributed

162 million

Pounds of greenhouse gases averted by food rescue

Making an impact

Yukon

172,857

Pounds of food rescued

$399,000 +

$ value of food rescued

1.9 million

Greenhouse gases averted

Saskatchewan

646,755 

Pounds of food rescued

$1.6 million +

$ value of food rescued

3.3 million 

Greenhouse gases averted

Quebec

2,774,068

Pounds of food rescued

$6.9 million +

$ value of food rescued

8.5 million 

Greenhouse gases averted

Prince Edward Island

423,796

Pounds of food rescued

$1.2 million + 

$ value of food rescued

780,000 + 

Greenhouse gases averted

Ontario

28,669,527

Pounds of food rescued

$84.5 million +

$ value of food rescued

111 million 

Greenhouse gases averted

Nunavut

36,240 

Pounds of food rescued

$83,000 + 

$ value of food rescued

200,000 + 

Greenhouse gases averted

Nova Scotia

400,010

Pounds of food rescued

$1.1 million + 

$ value of food rescued

2.1 million 

Greenhouse gases averted

Northwest Territories

175,128 

Pounds of food rescued

$400,000 + 

$ value of food rescued

1.4 million

Greenhouse gases averted

Newfoundland and Labrador

938,618

Pounds of food rescued

$2.2 million +

$ value of food rescued

5.4 million 

Greenhouse gases averted

New Brunswick

203,767

Pounds of food rescued

$580,000 + 

$ value of food rescued

almost 1 million

Greenhouse gases averted

Manitoba

2,355,292

Pounds of food rescued

$6.7 million +

$ value of food rescued

8.2 million

Greenhouse gases averted

British Columbia

2,119,358

Pounds of food rescued

$6 million

$ value of food rescued

6.9 million 

Greenhouse gases averted

Alberta

2,717,390

Pounds of food rescued

$7.9 million +

$ value of food rescued

10 + million 

Greenhouse gases averted

Our Impact Last Year

At Second Harvest, we are proud of the work we do, but we know we have a long way to go to reach our vision of No Waste. No Hunger. Your support and involvement are critical to our success. We’d like to thank each financial supporter, food donor, recipient organization, volunteer, government body and general supporter for your help in making our country a greener, better place. We couldn’t do what we do without you. Thank you! 

Because of your support, we were able to make a huge impact last year.

Communities

Second Harvest rescued and redistributed good surplus food in over 900 communities in Canada. 

Food donors

Second Harvest rescued food from over 4,500 food donors across Canada.

Non-profit organizations

Second Harvest supported over 3,000 non-profit organizations across Canada.

Programs 

Through our network of 3,000 non-profit organizations, we supported over 6,400 individual programs that provide food to communities. 

Individuals Served

Second Harvest supported an estimated 4.2 million unique individuals this past year. 

Meals Per Day 

We rescued and redistributed enough food to provide an average of 110,000 meals to Canadians every day. 

Fighting food waste

We’re proud to support food rescue across Canada, rescuing food from coast to coast to coast, as we work towards the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

By offering an avenue for food rescue, we’re encouraging businesses to waste less and develop responsible food supply chains. 

SDG 13: Climate Action

By getting surplus food to people, we reduce greenhouse gases created when food goes to landfill. 

SDG 2: Zero Hunger

Feeding people across our country, we’re creating change by building more equitable food systems.

Change through understanding

Not only have we made a direct impact with our food rescue efforts, Second Harvest continues to build awareness about food waste and its impacts both on human-caused climate change and the lives of Canadians. Our research has allowed us to better understand the landscape we are working in, so that we can make a difference where it is needed most.  

Learn more about our research on food loss and waste.  

Learn more about our research on Canada’s food network.

Looking ahead

Last year, our goal was to rescue and redistribute 32 million pounds of food. We far exceeded our target, reaching 41 million pounds of food. This year, we’ll focus on maintaining that significant growth by developing deeper relationships with our food donor and non-profit partners so we can increase program sustainability for the long run. 

Goal: 42 million pounds of food rescued and redistributed
Goal: 157.8 million pounds of greenhouse gases averted 
Goal: 5,950 food donors across Canada
Goal: 3,000 non-profit organizations supported