On May 15, The Second Harvest Truck Pull Challenge took place at Nathan Phillips Square, Toronto, bringing together strength, teamwork and community spirit. Thirty three teams of 10 raised funds for 405,000 meals and competed to pull a 20,000-pound truck across the square in the fastest time, all to support Second Harvest’s food rescue and redistribution efforts.
Thank you to everyone who participated for your energy and commitment to food rescue! Congratulations to the winning teams from each wave:
Wave 1: Purpose Unlimited – 13:75 seconds
Wave 2: Rush Truck Centres – 14:62 seconds
Wave 3: FIA Plumbing and Heating – 13:18 seconds
Wave 4: Scotiabank – 14:31 seconds
The energy at Nathan Phillips Square was remarkable as teams gathered, ready to showcase their dedication to a worthy cause. Each pull was a testament to teamwork and determination, with participants exercising every muscle to move the massive truck.
Adding to the excitement, Mayor Olivia Chow and Toronto city councillors also participated in the challenge to demonstrate their support for Second Harvest and the importance of local leadership in tackling issues like food insecurity and food waste.
Engaging activities onsite included massage sessions for truck pullers to unwind and a vibrant farmers market with fresh produce, where all proceeds would go to Second Harvest’s food rescue operations. The game station, which featured volley pong and human sized Jenga was a big hit. In The Freshness Faceoff, participants blind-tasted popular snack items and guessed whether they were past their best before date to learn more about food labelling and food waste. Throughout the day, truck pullers stayed refreshed with delicious beverages from Starbucks and were fuelled by hearty meals and sandwiches from Salad King and Mr. Sub.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all participants, sponsors and volunteers who made this event a success. Your dedication and support are invaluable in our mission to keep food where it belongs: on plates and out of landfills.
We look forward to seeing everyone again in Truck Pull 2025!
