Rising demand means extended hours, shopping slots for market-style food bank in Whitby, Ontario

A market-style food bank at Whitby’s Iroquois Park Sports Centre has doubled its hours of operation and bumped its shopping slots by more than 60 per cent to meet rising community demand.

The Market, operated by Feed the Need Durham, is now open two days a week to provide more people with an accessible, dignified and equitable way to access free food bank services and healthy food options in a community setting.

With the existing 160 pre-booked time slots to visit The Market each week consistently filling in less than two minutes, an extra 100 shopping time slots have been added, along with extended evening availability, to better address significant community need.

Instead of putting a pre-selected food hamper in someone’s hands, registered visitors can move freely through the space, browsing the shelves and choosing the foods that best meet their families’ needs. All food is provided to visitors at no cost.

In addition to providing a variety of choices for visitors, The Market at Iroquois Park will allow access to more fresh and frozen foods, like meat and produce, in addition to non-perishables, to be shared with those seeking support.

“Food insecurity is a pressing issue in Whitby and across Durham Region. Local food banks continue to see record-high demand, and new approaches are needed,” said Whitby Mayor Elizabeth Roy after The Market at Iroquois Park opened last spring. “Feed the Need’s new market model food bank is a wonderful example of this, ensuring access to food with a focus on dignity and equity.”

“Together, we can make sure no one in our community goes hungry.”

A 2022 report found that many families are struggling to afford a sufficient and healthy diet, with 15 percent of households categorized as food insecure, which means they either worry about running out of food, settle for lower quality food, or miss meals altogether.

There were nearly 73,000 visits to food banks in Whitby between April 2023 and March 2024, a seven per cent increase from the previous year.

Pre-registration is required to access the free ‘shopping-style’ experience at The Market located at the south Whitby recreation complex. First-time registration can be done at each Thursday or Friday between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. First-time registrants will receive a client ID from Feed the Need that can be used to book future shopping experiences.

That client ID can then be used to access online booking, which opens each Friday at 10 a.m. for the following week and will remain open until all shopping spots are filled.

Should all the spots be filled, free pre-packaged food bags will be offered at The Market during hours of operation to anyone in need of food.

The market is supported by volunteers and the Town of Whitby to address food insecurity in the community.

Whitby residents and business owners can help address food insecurity and support The Market by donating funds online or over the phone at (905) 571-3863. You can also drop off non-perishable food donations at Iroquois Park (500 Victoria St. W.) in Whitby during operating hours or at the Feed the Need Durham warehouse (371A Marwood Drive) in Oshawa, Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

A list of most needed items can be found here.