As milder temperatures begin to melt away the remnants of last weekend’s ice storm, some residents in the GTA have been forced to throw out thousands of dollars worth of spoiled food due to widespread power outages.
Nearly a week after the storm first hit, close to 16,000 Toronto Hydro customers still remain without power as residents begin to take stock of their fridges and toss out rotten food.
Gulam Bhaimiya, a resident of Toronto Community Housing, says he has been forced to throw out nearly $2,300 worth of meat and vegetables over the past week.
"All the meat and chicken and a lot of groceries," he told CTV’s Tamara Cherry.
Asha Jantuah, another community housing resident, says she has thrown out most of the items from her fridge as well.
"Milk, beef, fish, so many things, all gone," Jantuah said.
"I don't make enough to lose that much. You know what I mean? That's a lot of money," she added.
Gladys Ekeocha says she threw out close to $1,000 worth of groceries after the power outage spoiled most of her food.
"Everything get spoiled, we throw everything in the garbage…chicken, beef," she said.
Ekeocha says she has received little help from the city since the storm hit.
"I feel bad. I feel maybe they forgot me,” Ekeocha said.
As residents struggle to deal with a shortage of food, officials from the province have announced that they are working on a plan to assist residents in need.
In a news conference Saturday morning, Premier Kathleen Wynne told reporters that the province will be putting together a food distribution network to help feed low-income families.
“What we’re working on is a system whereby people who are vulnerable, who are not going to be able to afford to replace their food, would be able to obtain healthy food at local distribution points,” Wynne said.
The province is expected to announce the details about the food distribution in the next few days.
