Why FoodHall TO Exists

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Small businesses are one of the strongest engines of opportunity in Canada. As of 2024, small businesses made up 98.2% of all employer businesses in the country, while small and medium-sized businesses together contributed nearly half of Canada’s private-sector GDP.

At the same time, many young people, newcomers, racialized communities, and emerging entrepreneurs continue to face barriers to employment, business ownership, skills development, and economic stability. In 2025, unemployment among racialized youth remained significantly higher than among non-racialized and non-Indigenous youth, highlighting the need for practical pathways into work, entrepreneurship, and leadership.

FoodHall TO was created to respond to this need.

We are more than a food hall. We are a community-based platform for food entrepreneurship, culinary training, hospitality learning, youth development, cultural expression, and social innovation. Through our kiosks, programs, events, and partnerships, we support people as they build businesses, gain real-world experience, develop employable skills, and share their culture through food.

Our purpose is to create a space where emerging food entrepreneurs, students, youth, newcomers, and community members can test ideas, access mentorship, serve customers, build confidence, and grow sustainable opportunities.

FoodHall TO also recognizes the connection between food, poverty, culture, and sustainability. In Canada, millions of tonnes of edible food are wasted each year, while many households continue to experience food insecurity. Through responsible food practices, community programming, and education, FoodHall TO encourages healthier choices, reduced waste, and more responsible consumption and production.

At FoodHall TO, food is more than a meal. It is a tool for learning, employment, entrepreneurship, cultural celebration, and community resilience.

Our mission is to advance food entrepreneurship, expand access to culinary and hospitality pathways, support youth and student leadership, celebrate diverse cultures, and contribute to a more inclusive, sustainable, and food-secure future.