By Nadine Alsaghir

On March 26, the Toronto City Council passed a motion to open  city-run grocery stores, aiming to provide residents with “the most affordable food pricing possible.”

According to the motion moved by Councillor Anthony Perruzza, the four not-for-profit grocery stores, including downtown, “could help increase access to affordable food while addressing food insecurity in underserved communities.”

In an interview with The Eyeopener, Councillor Perruzza said, the initiative will be successful if the stores are able to lower grocery prices. 

“This is a way for us as a city government to try to bring some price relief, especially on something that’s so vital,” he said. 

Students at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) believe the city’s pilot project to open city-run grocery stores could be helpful. 

Some students say the grocery stores’ proximity to campus would dictate whether they use them.

Catherine Ibrahim, a first-year criminology student said, “if it’s a bit far, students will just resort to buying the expensive grocery.”

TMU students have access to the Good Food Centre (GFC) where those facing food insecurity can register to get free produce. GFC membership also allows TMU students to access the Daily Bread Food Bank, as previously reported by The Eye.

Ibrahim also said city-run grocery stores could increase students’ access to healthier food. 

“A lot of students and myself will go for [Kraft Dinner]  or ramen because it’s cheaper than buying actual produce and protein,” she said. 

According to the Daily Bread Food Bank’s 2025 report, students make up 23 per cent of food bank users, 13 per cent of whom were university or college students.

Asia Duran, a first-year criminology student, said grocery costs for her still compete with other major daily expenses. 

“I have things I have to pay for, like groceries or commuting…so I think grocery stores like that could really help save up for daily essentials,” she said. 

According to the 2026 Canada Food Price Report predictions, food prices this year will increase by 4 to 6 per cent. The same report claims food prices are nearly 30 per cent higher compared to 2021. 

Karim Khairallah, a fourth-year law and business student, said it’s important that strategies are undertaken to make students aware about this project. “Having better marketing strategies so students are actually aware [of these services is important],” he said.

Khairallah suggested having pop-up booths in universities across Toronto as a strategy.  

Sharita Henry is the director of programs at FoodShare Toronto, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to addressing food insecurity. Henry said that while she is supportive of a pilot project, she encourages building on what already works. 

“One of the things that we’ve wondered is [if it is] possible to have a permanent location or a community market…[or] have space that’s rented or subsidized through the city that we can set up every week and ensure that we’re able to provide affordable food for communities,” she said. 

According to a survey reported by The Philanthropist Journal, 91 per cent of food security organizations needed additional funding in 2024, and 87 per cent were short-staffed. 

Henry points to initiatives already in place including programs on the Toronto Food Charter, community markets and the Black Food Sovereignty Plan.

Perruzza said the long-term goal goes beyond a small pilot, with hopes the initiative could grow if successful. “It’s our intention to make this one successful so other levels of government and municipalities can expand it further.”