Text by Jeremy Freed. Image courtesy of Jenny Chan.

Food insecurity is a growing problem in Canada, with almost seven million Canadians — a fifth of the population — either unable or unsure if they will be able to afford food in the month ahead. For Matt Johnstone — executive director of FoodShare, a Toronto-based food justice organization — creating a food system where everyone can feed themselves and their communities with dignity and joy is both a mission and a passion. “The through line of my working life has always been food,” says Johnstone, who spent 15 years working as a chef before pivoting to the non-profit sector.

Through his work, Johnstone is dedicated to dismantling the systemic barriers — racism, sexism, ageism, ableism and classism — that keep people from accessing the food they need to thrive. “Whether it is supporting urban farms, subsidizing local produce markets or coordinating community kitchens, all of our work is about folks accessing food on their own terms,” he says. “Working beyond the kitchen, in food security and food justice, has shown me just how much the food system simply doesn’t work for a lot of people. I’m set on changing that — and I work with an incredible team and community who are, too.”

Nominate a Localer. Do you know someone who goes above and beyond? We’d love to hear about them. Send nominations to drivenbygood@caasco.ca and they could be our featured Localer.