On November 9, Second Harvest’s 2023 Annual General Meeting took place at our headquarters and was livestreamed to attendees in other provinces. It was an important opportunity to recognize the tremendous support from our partners, donors and volunteers, as well as showcase the impact we made together in 2023.
Over the past 12 months, Second Harvest not only met but surpassed many of the goals we set for ourselves in our 3-year strategic plan. This is a strong testament to the importance of collaboration and partnerships in the fight against hunger and food waste. We invite you to take a look at our latest Annual Report or watch the recorded livestream to learn more about our inspiring partners and accomplishments.
In addition to the formal proceedings, the AGM fostered a sense of community among attendees. Networking opportunities allowed supporters to connect, share ideas and explore potential avenues for further collaboration.
Among the highlights of the event were the interactive activations on site. In Freshness Face-Off, participants’ tastebuds were challenged to see if they can identify whether a food item is before its best before date or past it. This not only heightens awareness about the lifespan of different food items but also emphasizes the significance of preventing avoidable waste.
Another engaging activation was Taste or Toss, a digital game requiring players to swipe left or right to decide how far past best-before dates various food items are safe to eat. This game aims to dispel misconceptions surrounding best before dates and encourage responsible consumption, reducing food waste in the process.
It’s been a busy year at Second Harvest. We rescued and redistributed 74.4 million pounds of food and made nutrition more accessible to over 4.8 million people across Canada, averting 241 million pounds of greenhouse gases from entering the environment in the process.