The province is knocking down the barriers for food banks, not-for-profit organizations and charities involved in food donation. The Ontario government is currently looking over options to allow organizations that serve low risk foods like fresh fruit and pre-packaged items to operate without industrialized cleaning equipment meant for restaurants and a certified food-handler onsite. MPP for Renfrew-Nippissing-Pembroke John Yakabuski says food banks and charities should spend their time and resources helping those in need rather than following a shopping list of regulations. Some of the proposed changes include cancelling a set amount of hand washing stations, having two or three compartment sinks for cleaning utensils or commercial mechanical dishwasher and having at least one food handler or supervisor on site. Currently, Ontario doesn’t distinguish between fast-food chain restaurants and the various not-for-profit soup kitchens, after school programs and food rescue and delivery organizations.
