We Rescue Food
Since 1995, Food for Life has been turning surplus food into hope.
What began with one neighbour rescuing bread has grown into the largest Food Rescue Hub in Hamilton and Halton.
Over the past 30 years, we’ve rescued more than 35 million pounds of good food, valued at $113 million, ensuring it reaches neighbours who need it most.
Recognized as one of Canada’s Top 100 Charities and a Top 10 Impact Charity, our mission remains simple: Rescuing Food. Impacting Lives.
Every week, we collect fresh food from farms, retailers, and distributors and redistribute it through nearly 100 programs across the region — half run by Food for Life and half by community partners.
Every pound rescued means less waste and more people nourished.
We Strengthen Community
Each week, more than 4,500 households receive fresh, healthy food through our network of markets, fridges, and lockers and community partner programs.
These programs are low-barrier and dignity-based — no proof of income required — ensuring everyone can access nutritious, culturally relevant food in a welcoming way.
We focus on ensuring equitable access to fresh, nutritious food for anyone experiencing food insecurity through a broad range of programs and community partnerships that meet people where they are.
By offering diverse and flexible ways to access food, we help reduce barriers and promote dignity, choice, and inclusion for all.
Pop-up markets in seniors’ buildings, often run by residents themselves, help overcome barriers like mobility challenges and social isolation.
Behind it all is a dedicated team 800 volunteers, who contributed over 37,000 hours last year to pack, sort, and share good food.
Together, they are the heart of a movement that builds belonging and strengthens our communities.
We Help the Environment
Food for Life’s work supports both people and the planet.
By rescuing surplus food, we’ve prevented the equivalent of 50 million kilograms of greenhouse gas emissions, keeping good food out of landfills and protecting our environment.
Our commitment to waste reduction weaves through every part of our operations.
Food that is safe for animal feed goes to participating farms and livestock operations, and inedible food is composted through local partnerships to minimize landfill contributions.
We also engage in sustainability initiatives like a cardboard buyback program and crate-sharing systems that reduce single-use packaging and cut transportation-related emissions.
These practices — combined with innovations such as reusable crates, green fleet investments, and water reuse from cold-storage systems — strengthen our role as environmental stewards.
By feeding people first, supporting farms, and working with local composting programs, Food for Life ensures that every step of our process helps nourish both neighbours and the planet.
Together, we’re building a sustainable food system that makes every rescued pound count.
