Second Harvest loses 7 food trucks to catalytic converter theft in Etobicoke

Seven food rescue trucks operated by Second Harvest, Canada's largest food rescue charity, were left out of service after thieves stole catalytic converters from all of them early Sunday at the charity's Etobicoke yard.

Thieves cut a hole in the chain-link fence surrounding the property and used a saw to remove the converters from underneath the trucks in approximately five minutes, according to security camera footage. Toronto Police Service is investigating. Officers were called to the yard shortly after noon Sunday.

Second Harvest delivers rescued food to more than 300 non-profit organizations across the city. With all 7 trucks out of service, food deliveries to those organizations will be directly impacted at a time when demand for food support is already high, the charity said. The timing is especially difficult — the theft occurred over the Thanksgiving weekend, when communities relying on food assistance are under increased pressure.

Repairs to replace the catalytic converters and damaged exhaust components are estimated to cost $80,000. The source does not state whether insurance covers the theft or damage, or when the fleet could be back in operation.

Lori Nikkel, CEO of Second Harvest, said the theft showed sophistication. "They were in and out in five minutes. They knew what they were doing." Catalytic converters contain valuable metals and can be removed quickly from vehicles. Nikkel added: "That is money that should be going toward rescuing good food and feeding people in our city, not repairing damage caused by theft."

This is the second incident at Second Harvest's yard in less than a year. In January, 4 trucks were vandalized on New Year's Day, with water found in their fuel tanks.