In this episode we talk to Matt Noble, the founder of Toronto Vegetarian Food Bank, a volunteer-powered charity that has served over 250,000 meals worth of whole-food plant-based groceries to people struggling with poverty and food insecurity.
We learn about the importance and operation of a vegetarian food bank and delve into a deeper discussion on social justice, food insecurity and policy. Food security represents a state in which food is available, accessible, and affordable such that there is physical and economic access to sufficient food to meet dietary needs for a productive and healthy life. There is often the concern that a vegetarian or vegan dietary pattern is expensive and out of the price range for those with food insecurity. Matt discusses these concerns, the challenges, the current situation, and what he believes could help potentially address these issues.
Matt also shares some news about exciting initiatives, he and his team are working on, such as veganic agriculture and education. Toronto Vegetarian Food Bank will be breaking ground on a new project – The Veg Food Bank Farm – in partnership with Piebird Farm Sanctuary in the Summer of 2021.
You can find details about Matt’s work and the Toronto Vegetarian Food Bank on Instagram and Twitter @vegfoodbank and on Facebook at Toronto Vegetarian Food Bank.
The episode is hosted by Dr. Stephanie Nishi and Cassandra Carey, of Plant-Based Canada.