In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, food insecurity has reached unprecedented levels across Canada. According to data published by the Daily Bread, one in ten Torontonians use food banks on a regular basis, and one in four Toronto households were affected by food insecurity in 2024. Central Toronto, including Parkdale, was disproportionally impacted by the rise of food insecurity, which saw an unbelievable 20% increase in food bank visits in 2025. 

According to Parkdale Community Food Bank, they serve “more than 14,500 community members every month - nearly ten times the number of people we served five years ago”. Parkdale is particularly vulnerable to food insecurity as the neighborhood becomes increasingly economically strained. Although food is only one aspect of the present affordability crisis, it is undeniable that price gouging private grocery monopolies have caused significant economic burden. 

In light of these issues, Toronto city council passed a motion to explore the possibility of opening community grocery stores operated by the municipal government on March 25, 2026. In the motion, the city of Toronto proposed opening one community grocery store in four wards. We believe the city’s pilot project should be expanded from four municipally operated grocery stores to one in every ward.  

Additionally, efforts should be made to expedite the start date of the pilot project. As of now, the Council is not expecting answers to questions like site selection, strategy, and logistics plan until the second quarter of 2027. This is unacceptably slow.  

We are calling upon Diana Chan McNally, Parkdale’s newly elected councilor, to pledge she will support community-run grocery stores, in line with former Parkdale councilor Gord Perks’ previous support. Food insecurity is not an issue that solely impacts Parkdale. However, we need to take measures to protect our community.