Who We Are

Neighbours Helping Neighbours

Operating since 1990, Hamilton Food Share is the emergency food shipping and receiving hub and emergency food systems coordinator for the network of agencies we support in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

We provide industrial-scale food resources to hunger relief agencies, operating emergency food programs open to the public. The food is equitably delivered to food banks and meal programs to ensure that people living in poverty have access to healthy food for themselves and their families.

We place a greater emphasis on nutritious food. We have greatly increased our capacity to receive, store, and distribute fresh/frozen food items, ensuring that all families who rely on emergency food programs have access to a variety of food options. We generally accept food that can be used to build healthy meals.

Most of the food distributed is donated by our generous local food industry, including wholesalers and farmers. Some is purchased in bulk at deep discounts and the remainder comes from community food drives by local groups or from special events.

Our Mission

Working together toward a hunger-free community.

Our Values

Every person has the right to safe and nutritious food.

Privacy and dignity are essential for everyone, particularly people struggling with poverty.

Volunteers and staff demonstrate integrity, fairness, and honesty.

Organizational partnerships must further our anti-hunger mission and be based on respect, trust, and openness.

Generosity from our community will be encouraged and celebrated.

Staff Directory

Hamilton Food Share Team

Staff Member Position
Radhika Subramanyan Chief Executive Officer
Deborah Walsh Sr. Manager, Operations
Drew Parker Warehouse Manager
Justin Destro Warehouse Coordinator
Doreen Ssenabulya People and Culture Specialist
Elisabeth Damiani Administrator
Autumn Crayford Executive Assistant
Philip Kinch Administrative Assistant
Gary McCarthy Driver/Warehouse Worker
Walter Michisor Driver/Warehouse Worker
George Ampofo Warehouse Worker/Driver

Our Data

Reports & Statements & Newsletters

At Hamilton Food Share we pride ourselves on our transparency. We are proud to be included on the Charity Intelligence’s Top 100 Charities in Canada List for 2023 and ranked a Five-Star Charity, with an A- in results reporting and a checkmark + rating in financial transparency. Below you will find copies of our Annual Reports, our Hunger Report, our Audited Financial Statements and our Newsletters.

Media

HFS in the News

We appreciate assistance from our local media in the fight against hunger. Below you will find a selection of recent news stories about the work of Hamilton Food Share.

10.16.24

Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) Holiday Train Concert returns to Gage Park

The CPKC Holiday Train returns to the rails this season for its 26th cross-continent tour to support local food banks.

06.19.24

900 CHML: Food Insecurity in Hamilton on Good Morning Hamilton host Rick Zamperin

Radhika Subramanyan, speaks out about food insecurity in Hamilton - Timestamp: 7:11

06.12.24

Hamilton Shows Leadership to Help End Food Insecurity Crisis

The resolution urged the Federal government to provide emergency funding to food banks and food rescue agencies.

06.01.24

Nearly $300,000 donated to Hamilton Food charities from Tim Hortons Smile Cookie Campaign

Restaurant owners donated 100% of proceeds from sales of Smile Cookies to Hamilton Food Share and Food4Kids Hamilton.

04.12.24

Hamilton Food Share is Nourishing the Community Through Food Access

Ashley Mitchell speaks out about the growing demand at emergency food programs across the city and how you can help.

03.05.24

The Bay Observer: Ancaster Community Food Drive tops the Two Million pound mark

The Ancaster Food Drive is a community event that brings together hundreds of volunteers.

01.02.24

CBC Hamilton's Sounds of the Season annual campaign raises food and funds for Hamilton Food Share

CBC Hamilton's Sounds of the Season campaign has raised $3,338.41 for our neighbours in need.

10.30.23

Hamilton Spectator: Hamilton council provides food banks with a $625,000 cash infusion

Council approved giving Hamilton food banks an additional $625,000 financial lifeline to keep them operating until 2024.

10.20.23

Hamilton Food Share makes the Top 100 Charity Intelligence Canada List

Hamilton Food Share Ranked a Charity Intelligence Canada Five-Star Charity and makes the Top 100 Charities List.

10.05.23

Hamilton Spectator: New Hamilton Food Share CEO focused on building relationships

For Radhika Subramanyan, her new job is all about building relationships.

09.22.23

Hamilton food bank partners seeking $1.25M as annual donations drop rapidly

Food banks in Hamilton are seeking investment from the city to compensate for a significant decrease in food donations.

08.30.23

CHCH: Ticats quarterback helps promote Purolator Tackle Hunger Event

Matt Schiltz visits Hamilton Food Share to promote the Purolator Tackle Hunger Campaign.

07.31.23

Hamilton Spectator: Hamilton councillors being asked to fund city food banks

Food share stats show downtown and central/west Mountain areas top food bank use.

07.11.23

CHCH: Hamilton’s emergency food services reaching capacity

Committee warns the emergency food support system in the city is reaching its capacity.

07.17.23

Hamilton Spectator: Nearly six per cent of Hamilton’s population fed by food banks

Record demand for emergency food services at Neighbour to Neighbour Centre.

07.12.23

The Bay Observer: Hamilton’s food bank network is strained to the limit

Hamilton Emergency Food Strategic Planning committee are sounding the alarm that they are facing record demand.