Feeding Ontario, One Grocery Box At A Time

As food banks across Ontario face record-breaking demand, Tre’dish is stepping up to make a difference this holiday season. The Toronto-based grocery platform has partnered with Feed Ontario on an inspiring Give-Back Campaign aimed at tackling food insecurity. With every $100 spent on Tre’dish, a box of fresh produce and pantry essentials will be donated to families in need. In this Q&A, we dive into how Tre’dish is transforming grocery shopping while strengthening local communities and providing vital support to those who need it most. —Vita Daily

What inspired Tre’dish to partner with Feed Ontario for this Give-Back Campaign, and how do you see it making an impact during the holiday season?

Feed Ontario does crucial work in fighting food insecurity, and it’s a cause we deeply believe in at Tre’dish. In the past year over a million Ontarians relied on food banks, and many are seeking help for the first time due to the rising cost of living. The numbers are staggering, and it’s a challenge we can’t ignore.

At Tre’dish, our mission has always been about providing Canadians with a more affordable, transparent alternative for their groceries, while striving to do better for our communities. Our partnership with Feed Ontario aligns perfectly with that mission. We know that many who would typically give back are feeling the strain and aren’t able to in the way they once could. That’s why we’re making it easy to give back. Every Tre’dish customer who shops with us is playing a direct role in supporting families in need. It’s simple—by doing your regular grocery shopping with us, you’re also helping to ensure that those who are struggling can access the help they need.

This campaign is more than just about food—it’s about kindness, community, and making it easier for everyone to do their part. Together we can make an impact. 

How does Tre’dish’s model differ from traditional grocery chains in addressing food insecurity and supporting local communities?

We set out to do things differently. Our goal was never just to be another grocery store—it was to transform the entire system. We believe that quality food shouldn’t be a luxury, and it shouldn’t cost you an arm and a leg to put a healthy meal on the table. That’s why we built Tre’dish with one thing in mind: fairness. By cutting out the middlemen and simplifying the supply chain, we’re able to provide Canadians with affordable, high-quality groceries without all the markup and hidden fees that are standard in the industry. It’s a system that makes sense—prices are transparent, and everyone gets access to food that’s both nutritious and affordable.

Our partnership with Feed Ontario is a perfect example of how we’re leveraging what we’ve built for good. By working with local food networks and directly sourcing ingredients, we’re not only ensuring that families in need have access to food, but we’re also supporting local businesses and food producers. This isn’t a one-way street—it’s a circular model where the entire community thrives, from the chefs and farmers to the consumers and those who need help the most.

At the end of the day, this is about empowerment—empowering people to make the right choices for their families, empowering local businesses to grow, and empowering communities to support each other. 

Can you explain the logistics behind the fresh produce and pantry boxes being donated—what’s included, and how are they distributed to families in need?

The fresh produce and pantry boxes donated through our partnership with Feed Ontario are carefully curated to provide balanced, nutritious ingredients that meet the needs of families. Each box includes fresh fruits and vegetables, pantry staples like rice, pasta, and canned goods, as well as essential proteins. The goal is to ensure that families not only receive food but the resources to create wholesome meals.

We have partnered with Feed Ontario because their extensive network of food banks and community partners ensures that these boxes reach families across the province efficiently. By leveraging their expertise and infrastructure, we can focus on sourcing high-quality ingredients while they handle delivery to those who need it most. It’s a collaborative effort to maximize impact and bring comfort to families during the holidays

With food bank visits reaching record highs, what role do you see innovative platforms like Tre’dish playing in long-term food security solutions?

The rise in food bank visits is a wake-up call, and it’s clear that we need to think beyond just handing out meals. Platforms like Tre’dish are perfectly positioned to play a critical role in fostering long-term food security by helping communities build self-sufficiency and resilience.

By working alongside organizations like Feed Ontario, we’re not just focusing on immediate needs—we’re leveraging technology, local talent, and community partnerships to create a more sustainable and equitable food ecosystem. Our goal is to do more than provide meals; we want to create lasting solutions to a more equitable food system that reduces the need for food banks over time. It’s about empowering individuals, supporting local businesses, and creating a system where everyone can thrive. This is a long-term vision, and we’re committed to being part of it.

How has Tre’dish’s recent expansion to the Greater Toronto Area enhanced its ability to address local food insecurity and support more communities?

Expanding into the Greater Toronto Area isn’t just about growing—it’s about growing smarter. Removing the middleman is a core part of our strategy, and as we scale, this approach becomes even more effective. The math is simple: the larger we grow, the better we can streamline procurement, reduce costs, and pass those savings directly to our customers.

The future of Tre’dish is built on leveraging our tech and smart data to understand the unique needs of each community we serve. Every area in Ontario and quite frankly in Canada, has different preferences, purchasing habits, and income levels. By using data ethically and transparently, we can track local trends and make smarter, more informed decisions about what to order and how to serve each neighborhood.

This data-driven approach helps us procure smarter, source more efficiently, and provide exactly what each area needs at the best possible price. As we continue to grow, we’ll be able to give back to our communities in even greater ways, ensuring we deliver not just affordable groceries but a stronger, more connected community.

What has been the response from customers and local partners to the Give-Back Campaign, and how can people get involved to support the initiative?

A6: The response to our Give-Back Campaign has been incredibly positive. Everyone has embraced the initiative, recognizing the importance of supporting families in need during the holiday season and quite frankly, ongoing throughout the year. 

For those looking to get involved, there are many ways to support. You can order from Tre’dish or contribute directly to Feed Ontario to support their mission of reducing food insecurity. Every action, big or small, makes a difference, and together we can create meaningful change for those who need it most.

Looking ahead, what are Tre’dish’s plans to continue innovating in the grocery industry while making a meaningful difference in the fight against hunger?

A7: This is just the beginning. We’re reimagining the entire food ecosystem and focusing on doing better for Canadians. We’re not slowing down. In fact, we’re pushing forward with innovative strategies to make groceries more affordable and accessible. One of the ways we’re doing that is by using AI and implementing data-driven insights to better understand  our customers’ needs—whether that’s managing budgets, understanding food preferences and dietary needs of their families and in turn, helping them get the groceries they want at a lower cost or in greater quantities.

It’s not going to be an easy journey, but we’re in it for the long haul. We’re committed to providing real solutions to the challenges Canadians face. This isn’t about idealism—it’s about solving real problems with practical solutions. We’re using technology to create efficiencies that benefit everyone, helping families stretch their budgets further while ensuring they get the nutrition they deserve.