Get all the details on our Share The Harvest program here
Food security is fundamental to our mission
The Junction Farmers Market provides local, sustainably produced fresh foods in ways that build our community, support local food growers and producers, and promote access to healthy food for everyone who lives in and around the Junction.
Central to our mission is our Share The Harvest program. We use proceeds from the market to provide food-insecure individuals and households access to fresh, local food, in the form of “market dollars” they can use to shop at the market.
We work with community partners
Working with partners like the Four Villages Community Health Centre, JFM strives each year to reach individuals and households who are identified as food insecure, and to provide them with market dollars that can be used at the market. This empowers people to purchase food at the weekly market, and contributes to building a stronger, healthier, and more inclusive community.
Food insecurity remains a major issue
Food insecurity is when a person or household is not able to afford sufficient and dependable access to food for themselves and their family.
In Canada, about 1 in 8 households are food insecure, but in Toronto, the number is closer to 1 in 5. Food insecurity means that people may have to choose between buying food and other expenses, like rent. It also means that people may be more likely to choose less costly food, like fast food, which can be less nutritious and have other consequences on people’s health, the environment, and the community.
Our impact
Our Share The Harvest program (known previously as the Voucher Program) began in 2012 through a small, one-time grant. Since then, the JFM has worked to build sustainable revenue, primarily through events like our annual Junction Night Market.
With COVID-19 restrictions making events like the Night Market no longer possible, the JFM has made a commitment to continue funding Share The Harvest, despite not having a steady source of revenue. This has meant using our market’s reserves to fund the program, as well as relying on the generous donations of community members like you.
How you can help
- You can help fund and support Share The Harvest by:
- Donating to Share The Harvest: Your funds will go directly to providing vouchers to individuals and households identified as food insecure. (Note that, as JFM is not a registered charity, we cannot provide a charitable receipt.)
- Volunteering with the JFM: The market runs on volunteers and we would love to have you with us! Specific ways that volunteers could support the voucher program specifically include: identifying and/or writing grants; organizing a fundraiser; delivering food to people who may not be able to make it to the market in person; or any other ideas you may have!
- Joining the JFM Board of Directors: All market operations, including Share The Harvest, are overseen by our volunteer board of directors. Anyone who is passionate about local food, farming, food security and interested in becoming involved with the Junction community is encouraged to apply!