UNACTO Hosts Webinar on Toronto’s Food Insecurity Crisis

TORONTO, ON—The United Nations Association in Canada Toronto Region Branch (UNACTO) successfully convened experts and community members for its critical webinar, “Zero Hunger Toronto: Sounding the Alarm on Food Insecurity”, on 20 May 2025. This timely discussion addressed Toronto’s worsening hunger crisis, where more than one in ten residents now rely on food banks, following the City’s declaration of a food insecurity state of emergency earlier this year.

The virtual event brought together policymakers, community leaders and youth activists for a solutions-focused dialogue aligned with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2: Zero Hunger. Speakers emphasized that food insecurity stems from systemic issues, including income inequality, unaffordable housing and insufficient social supports, rather than simply being a matter of food availability.

Discussion highlights included innovative local responses to hunger, such as mobile food banks, culturally tailored meal programmes and student nutrition initiatives, alongside urgent calls for policy reforms like increased income supports, affordable housing protections and living wage legislation. Panellists particularly stressed the vital role of youth engagement in advocacy and grassroots initiatives to create sustainable change.

Featured speakers included:

Tatjana Radovanovic, Senior Director of Community and Stakeholder Relations at the Canadian Red Cross, who outlined the humanitarian dimensions of food insecurity, emphasizing dignity, equitable access, and the intersection with housing, income instability, and emergency preparedness. She highlighted the Mobile Food Bank programme, which delivers culturally appropriate meals to isolated seniors, newcomers and families facing mobility barriers. 

Rose Butler, Interim Vice President of Research and Advocacy at Daily Bread Food Bank, who presented on the systemic drivers of food insecurity, including stagnant wages, gig economy precarity and inadequate disability supports. She underscored the alarming rise in food bank usage among working families and students, with 80 per cent of clients being renters and nearly 50 per cent having someone employed in their household.

A recording of the webinar is available for those who missed the live event.