Second Harvest launches Canada's first Food Safety Certification designed for non-profits. Nov 09, 2026, 10:00 ET Ontario-approved training supports the teams behind essential community food programs TORONTO, Nov. 9, 2026 /CNW/ - Second Harvest today launched a new Food Safety Certification that addresses the distinct needs of non-profit food programs, helping staff and volunteers safely handle, prepare, store and serve food. The first of its kind in Canada, the course is built for organizations such as food banks, shelters and community kitchens, where teams often deliver essential services with limited budgets, space and volunteer capacity. Approved by Ontario's Ministry of Health, the course is equivalent to food handler training and certification offered by Ontario public health units. Participants who successfully complete the course and pass the final assessment receive certification valid for five years. "Non-profits are an essential part of how people access food in Canada. Their staff and volunteers deserve food safety training that reflects the work they do every day," said Lori Nikkel, CEO of Second Harvest. "Getting more food to communities also means supporting the people who handle, prepare and serve it. This certification gives those teams practical knowledge they can put to work immediately, helping good food safely reach the people who count on them." Second Harvest works with 1,585 non-profit partners in Ontario alone, including food banks, shelters, community meal programs and school nutrition initiatives. The certification builds on Second Harvest's national food rescue work and its commitment to strengthening the organizations that connect people with food. The first training session takes place today at Second Harvest's headquarters in Etobicoke. Fred Victor, a Toronto organization offering food access programs and operating a catering social enterprise, welcomed the sector-specific curriculum. "Fred Victor thanks Second Harvest for designing a Food Safety Certification curriculum that is specific to community kitchens and organizations. As an organization that offers Food Access programs for marginalized individuals, as well as a catering social enterprise, we recognize the unique food safety needs of these programs. This training will enable our staff to develop specific skills required to offer food services to our clients," said Jude Hammond, Director of Food Services at Fred Victor. The six- to eight-hour course combines instruction and practical activities. Topics include preventing food contamination and bacterial growth, proper hand hygiene, safe food handling, cleaning and sanitizing, and the principles of the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) system. Training is offered in English, in person in Ontario, at Second Harvest's headquarters or an eligible host location. Off-site group bookings are subject to attendance and venue requirements. The certification complements Second Harvest's existing food safety and food literacy education, helping non-profits strengthen their food programs and make the most of the food available to their communities. Find b-roll footage of Second Harvest's operations and photos of training sessions here. About Second Harvest Second Harvest is Canada's largest food rescue organization and a global thought leader on food waste and perishable food redistribution. It rescues unsold surplus food from thousands of food businesses from across the supply chain to redistribute it to non-profits in every province and territory. This prevents harmful greenhouse gases from entering the atmosphere while improving access to nutrition for millions of Canadians experiencing food insecurity. Beyond food rescue and redistribution, Second Harvest is deeply involved in advocacy, research, training and education. Its groundbreaking reports, such as "The Avoidable Crisis of Food Waste," provide critical data and insights to inform public policy and educate the public on sustainable food systems. Second Harvest is committed to driving systemic change, helping to shape policies and practices that reduce food waste and address its role in climate change, while also supporting communities by providing them with the food they need. SOURCE Second Harvest For media inquiries, please contact: Giao Chau, Communications Manager, Email: [email protected], Phone: 416-346-3617

Minister MacDonald announces organizations to deliver the Local Food Infrastructure Fund: Community Support Stream to strengthen food security in communities across Canada. Oct 23, 2026, 10:51 ET TORONTO, Oct. 23, 2026 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada, in line with the National Food Security Strategy, is taking immediate action to help ensure all Canadians, particularly the most vulnerable, can access nutritious food. Today, at Second Harvest in Toronto, the Honourable Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, announced the two initial recipients of the up to $20-million federal Local Food Infrastructure Fund: Community Support Stream. The initial recipients, Food Banks Canada and Second Harvest, will each receive up to $10 million in funding to further distribute through individual applications to eligible food banks and not-for-profit community-based organizations (known as ultimate recipients) to acquire and distribute food to families in need. Eligible community-based organizations are encouraged to use the Community Support Stream (CSS) Initial Recipient Finder to determine which organization best serves their geographic area and needs. This funding is in addition to Canada's first-ever National Food Security Strategy announced by Prime Minister Mark Carney on June 11, 2026. Backed by $3.2 billion in investments over 10 years, the Strategy will help tackle the root causes of food insecurity and improve our domestic self-sufficiency. "Every Canadian should have access to nutritious food, regardless of where they live or their circumstance. Through the Community Support Stream, our government is working with trusted organizations like Food Banks Canada and Second Harvest to get food to families and communities across the country who need it most." - The Honourable Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food "Food security is about ensuring that individuals and families can access the nutritious food they need to live healthy, dignified lives. By investing in trusted organizations like Food Banks Canada and Second Harvest, we are strengthening the community-based networks that support people facing food insecurity and helping ensure that nutritious food reaches those who need it most." - James Maloney, Member of Parliament for Etobicoke-Lakeshore "Across Canada, community organizations help connect individuals and families with nutritious food and other essential resources. Strengthening these organizations and the networks they rely on is an important part of building more resilient communities and improving food security. The Community Support Stream will help local organizations strengthen food distribution networks, expand their capacity to respond to growing demand, and better support families experiencing food insecurity. This investment will help meet immediate needs while laying the groundwork for a stronger, more resilient food system for years to come." - Fares Al Soud, Member of Parliament for Mississauga Centre "As visits to food banks continue to increase, this project will help ensure they can keep their shelves stocked with nutritious food. Food Banks Canada is very pleased to distribute this funding, which will help food banks throughout the country purchase the food they need to reduce shortages, improve food access in underserved communities, and provide reliable support to people facing food insecurity." - Kirstin Beardsley, Chief Executive Officer, Food Banks Canada "We deeply appreciate Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's investment through the Local Food Infrastructure Fund: Community Support Stream. As food becomes harder for people to afford, community organizations across Canada are working harder than ever to meet the need. This funding will help us get resources directly to grassroots organizations so they can provide nutritious, culturally appropriate food. With our national network of partners, we'll make sure this support reaches the communities that need it most, making good food accessible and barrier-free for people across the country." - Lori Nikkel, Chief Executive Officer, Second Harvest Quick Facts * On June 11, 2026, Prime Minister Mark Carney, launched Canada's first-ever National Food Security Strategy to help Canadians feel confident that their food will remain affordable, available, and produced here at home. It focuses on supporting the farmers, processors, and workers who help put food on tables every day. It also invests in innovation and stronger supply chains so Canada can produce more of its own food and better respond to future challenges. * Budget 2025 announced that the federal government is making the National School Food Program permanent, providing school meals for up to 400,000 children each year, saving participating families with two children in school an estimated $800 annually on groceries. * Projects and final funding are subject to negotiation of a contribution agreement. * Food Banks Canada is the leader in addressing food insecurity in Canada with a vision of a Canada where no one goes hungry. Its mission is to provide national leadership to relieve hunger today and prevent hunger tomorrow in collaboration with a network of over 5,500 food banks and community organizations from coast to coast to coast. * Second Harvest is Canada's largest food rescue organization, working across the country to rescue surplus food and get it to people and communities who need it. * Food Banks Canada and Second Harvest will each collaborate with established networks with extensive reach across Canada, collectively connecting with partner organizations across all provinces and territories, enabling funding to be distributed broadly, proportionately and equitably. Associated Links SOURCE Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Contacts: For media: Jennica Klassen, Director of Communications, Office of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, [email protected]; Media Relations, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, 613-773-7972, 1-866-345-7972, [email protected]