Food for Life Receives Funding From Ontario to Increase Food Access to Milton

MEDIA RELEASE                                                                                           

Food for Life Increases Fresh Food Access to the Milton Community

Milton, ON – On Thursday, local MPP Zee Hamid met with Halton’s leading Food Rescue charity, Food for Life, to celebrate a $48,400 Capital grant from the provincial Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF). The funds supported increasing fresh food access to an additional 50+ households each week in Milton.

"Food for Life’s continued commitment to supporting our community and ensuring no one goes hungry is truly commendable,” said Zee Hamid, MPP for Milton. “I look forward to seeing this well-deserved funding invested in fridges, freezers, and other essential supplies to support new food programs in Milton"

The OTF grant provided necessary funds to purchase new fridges, freezers, and carts to expand fresh food access in Milton. The new equipment will allow Food for Life to provide new and enhanced food options and help the organization respond to a 20% increase in demand over the last year.

“Fresh food is central to Food for Life’s mission, making fridges and freezers essential at many of our program locations. Expanding this infrastructure in Milton has allowed us to offer weekend programming and increase food availability elsewhere - benefiting our neighbours and strengthening our community. – Donna Slater, Director of Programs and Community Partnerships - Food for Life

Operating the region's largest food rescue hub, Food for Life rescues and redistributes close to 5 million lbs of nutritious food each year, bridging the gap between food excess and hunger for 30 years. Guided by the voices of neighbours and partners – and informed by strong research and impact data – Food for Life ensures its work is responsive, equitable and rooted in real community need. The organization partners with local farms, grocery stores and businesses to provide fresh, nutritious food to those in need through over 90 food access points across Halton and Hamilton. Their mission: Rescuing Food, Impacting Lives. Learn more at www.foodforlife.ca.

The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Ontario government with a mission to build healthy and vibrant communities across the province. Last year, OTF invested nearly $105M into 732 community projects and multi-sector partnerships. Projects aim to enhance economic well-being, foster more active lifestyles, support child and youth development, provide spaces for people to come together and connect, and create a more sustainable environment. Visit otf.ca to learn more.

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Media Contact:

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Contact for Media Inquiries:

Soha Khan

Office of Milton MPP Zee Hamid

365-355-2672

soha.khan@pc.ola.org