No One Should Go Hungry: Invest in South Etobicoke’s Food Insecurity.
The Issue
Living in South Etobicoke, we have witnessed the struggles families and individuals face when rising living costs make it difficult to afford enough food. Through personal experiences and volunteer work, we have seen how important food assistance is to people experiencing financial hardship. Families should not have to choose between buying groceries, paying rent, and covering their utility bills.
Food insecurity remains a serious concern in Toronto. The City of Toronto (2026) reports that food insecurity affected 24.7% of Toronto households in 2024. Statistics Canada (2026) reported that grocery prices increased by 2.8% between August 2025 and August 2026, while prices had risen 29% since August 2021. PROOF (2026) also reported that 24% of people in Canada lived in food-insecure households in 2025. These figures demonstrate the continuing challenges many households face in accessing adequate food.
We call on Toronto City Council to increase dedicated funding in the 2027 City Budget for food banks and community food programs serving South Etobicoke. This funding should help local programs maintain food supplies, respond to growing needs, and support more individuals and families.
We also urge the City to expand affordable, nutritious food options through community meals, low-cost grocery initiatives, and accessible food programs. These services can help residents meet their nutritional needs while maintaining their dignity and choice.
Finally, we ask Toronto City Council to advocate for stronger provincial and federal policies addressing food affordability, poverty, and inadequate incomes. Food banks provide essential support, but lasting change also requires addressing the financial pressures that leave people unable to afford basic necessities.
Access to nutritious food is essential to health and human dignity. Sign this petition and call on Toronto City Council to take meaningful action so that no one in South Etobicoke has to go hungry.
Sources and References
City of Toronto. (n.d.). Food insecurity in Toronto. https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/accountability-operations-customer-service/long-term-vision-plans-and-strategies/poverty-reduction-strategy/food-security-in-toronto-poverty-reduction-strategy/
Daily Bread Food Bank, & North York Harvest Food Bank. (2025). Who’s hungry 2025: Record-breaking hunger. https://www.dailybread.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/DB-Whos-Hungry-Digital-2025-October-24.pdf
Gemini. (2026). Hands passing a paper bag of fresh groceries across a table in a community center [AI-generated image].
PROOF. (2026, April 29). New data on household food insecurity in 2025. University of Toronto. https://proof.utoronto.ca/2026/new-data-on-household-food-insecurity-in-2025/
Statistics Canada. (2026, September 14). Consumer price index, August 2026. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/260914/dq260914a-eng.htm
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The Issue
Living in South Etobicoke, we have witnessed the struggles families and individuals face when rising living costs make it difficult to afford enough food. Through personal experiences and volunteer work, we have seen how important food assistance is to people experiencing financial hardship. Families should not have to choose between buying groceries, paying rent, and covering their utility bills.
Food insecurity remains a serious concern in Toronto. The City of Toronto (2026) reports that food insecurity affected 24.7% of Toronto households in 2024. Statistics Canada (2026) reported that grocery prices increased by 2.8% between August 2025 and August 2026, while prices had risen 29% since August 2021. PROOF (2026) also reported that 24% of people in Canada lived in food-insecure households in 2025. These figures demonstrate the continuing challenges many households face in accessing adequate food.
We call on Toronto City Council to increase dedicated funding in the 2027 City Budget for food banks and community food programs serving South Etobicoke. This funding should help local programs maintain food supplies, respond to growing needs, and support more individuals and families.
We also urge the City to expand affordable, nutritious food options through community meals, low-cost grocery initiatives, and accessible food programs. These services can help residents meet their nutritional needs while maintaining their dignity and choice.
Finally, we ask Toronto City Council to advocate for stronger provincial and federal policies addressing food affordability, poverty, and inadequate incomes. Food banks provide essential support, but lasting change also requires addressing the financial pressures that leave people unable to afford basic necessities.
Access to nutritious food is essential to health and human dignity. Sign this petition and call on Toronto City Council to take meaningful action so that no one in South Etobicoke has to go hungry.
Sources and References
City of Toronto. (n.d.). Food insecurity in Toronto. https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/accountability-operations-customer-service/long-term-vision-plans-and-strategies/poverty-reduction-strategy/food-security-in-toronto-poverty-reduction-strategy/
Daily Bread Food Bank, & North York Harvest Food Bank. (2025). Who’s hungry 2025: Record-breaking hunger. https://www.dailybread.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/DB-Whos-Hungry-Digital-2025-October-24.pdf
Gemini. (2026). Hands passing a paper bag of fresh groceries across a table in a community center [AI-generated image].
PROOF. (2026, April 29). New data on household food insecurity in 2025. University of Toronto. https://proof.utoronto.ca/2026/new-data-on-household-food-insecurity-in-2025/
Statistics Canada. (2026, September 14). Consumer price index, August 2026. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/260914/dq260914a-eng.htm
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Petition created on 26 October 2026