Episode 108: Can Basic Income End Hunger? Matt Noble on the Future of Food Security

Welcome to the Plant-Based Canada Podcast! In today’s episode, we’re joined by Matt Noble to discuss basic income, food security, and the systemic changes needed to ensure that no one goes hungry.Matt Noble is the founder and Executive Director of Toronto Vegetarian Food Bank, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing nutritious plant-based food to individuals and families struggling with poverty and food insecurity across Toronto. Matt is a lead of the Put Food Banks Out Of Business (PFOB) initiative which is a national campaign advocating for a guaranteed, livable basic income—an income floor below which no Canadian can fall, as well as producer of the Plant-Based Subway Ad Toronto campaign , where in June & July of 2025, some of Toronto’s most inspiring vegan leaders were highlighted among 1100 TTC subway posters, illustrating how joyful and diverse plant-powered living can be.Matt studied Journalism at Centennial College, and is a researcher in the areas of poverty alleviation, food insecurity, housing, economics, public policy, agriculture and is an avid gardener.He works to advocate for a guaranteed liveable basic income as the most effective policy solution for addressing poverty and food insecurity.Resources:Plant-Based Canada Conference Talk:  https://vimeo.com/ontariobarassociation/download/1088460575/f17705f09dPut Food Banks Out Of Business: https://www.putfoodbanksoutofbusiness.com/ The Plant-Based Toronto Subway Ad Campaign: https://www.plantbasedtoronto.ca/PROOF Report: https://proof.utoronto.ca/ Matt Noble’s Socials:Toronto Vegetarian Food BankPlant-Based TorontoPut Food Banks Out Of BusinessPlant-Based Canada’s Socials:Instagram  (@plantbasedcanadaorg)Facebook (Plant-Based Canada, https://m.facebook.com/plantbasedcanadaorg/)Website  (https://www.plantbasedcanada.org/)X / Twitter @PBC_orgBonus PromotionCheck out University of Guelph's online Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate. Each 4-week course will guide you through essential plant-based topics including nutritional benefits, disease prevention, and environmental impacts. You can also customize your learning with unique courses such as Plant-Based Diets for Athletes and Implementing a Plant-Based Diet at Home. As the first university-level plant-based certificate in Canada, you’ll explore current research, learn from leading industry experts, and join a community of like-minded people. Use our exclusive discount code PBC2025 to save 10% on all Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate courses. uoguel.ph/pbn.Thank you for tuning in! Make sure to subscribe to the Plant-Based Canada Podcast so you get notified when new episodes are published. This episode was hosted by Stephanie Nishi RD, PhD.Support the show