In a landmark partnership aimed at addressing the alarming rise in food insecurity across Halton Region, Food for Life and FeedHalton have announced a strategic merger of operations. The integration, finalized last month, represents one of the most significant collaborations in the region’s social services sector, coming at a critical time when food bank usage has surged by nearly 40% since pre-pandemic levels.
“We’re witnessing unprecedented demand,” explains Graham Hill, Executive Director of Food for Life. “With inflation pushing grocery prices to record highs and housing costs consuming ever-larger portions of household budgets, families who were once comfortable are now making impossible choices between paying rent and putting food on the table.”
The newly combined organization will leverage Food for Life’s established distribution network, which currently serves over 24,000 individuals monthly, alongside FeedHalton’s innovative community engagement strategies. Last year, Food for Life distributed more than 4.5 million pounds of food across Burlington, Oakville, Milton, and Halton Hills—a figure that’s expected to grow substantially through this partnership.
According to recent data from Food Banks Canada, Halton Region has experienced one of the sharpest increases in food bank usage in Ontario, with nearly one in seven households reporting some level of food insecurity. The situation is particularly dire for single-parent families and seniors on fixed incomes, who have been disproportionately affected by economic pressures.
“This isn’t just about handing out food,” notes Debbie Thompson, former director of FeedHalton who will now serve as Chief Strategy Officer for the combined initiative. “We’re creating a comprehensive approach to food security that includes nutrition education, community gardens, and advocacy for systemic change at the political level.”
The merger has received strong support from local government officials and corporate donors, with Halton Regional Council approving a special $500,000 grant to support the transition and expansion of services. Several major grocers have also committed to increasing their food donation programs, including a pioneering initiative to redirect “imperfect” produce that would otherwise be discarded.
Dr. Elena Sánchez, a food security researcher at McMaster University, describes the merger as “potentially transformative” for the region. “What we’re seeing in Halton reflects broader economic challenges across Canada, but this collaborative approach could become a model for other communities struggling with similar issues.”
The combined organization plans to introduce several innovative programs in 2024, including mobile food markets targeting transportation-limited neighborhoods, a community kitchen offering cooking classes focused on nutritious, budget-friendly meals, and an expanded food recovery program working with local farms and food producers.
“Food insecurity isn’t just a hunger issue—it’s a public health crisis,” emphasizes Hill. “When people lack access to nutritious food, we see cascading effects on physical health, mental wellbeing, childhood development, and community stability.”
As the initiative takes shape amid growing economic uncertainty, one question remains at the forefront for Halton residents and policymakers alike: Can this collaborative model of addressing food insecurity create lasting change in a system where the fundamental causes—income inequality, housing affordability, and economic volatility—continue to intensify?
