If you’ve seen one food bank, you’ve seen … one food bank. Food Banks Canada collaborates with a network of over 5,500 organizations, each of which serves a community with distinct needs and operates in its own way. 

A shared set of values and best practices underpins this healthy diversity: every network member upholds Canada’s Ethical Food Banking Code. And now, each one is also working toward accreditation through Food Banks Canada’s Standards of Excellence. 

Some food banks have already completed this journey. This month, we’re celebrating Kamloops Food Bank‘s accreditation.

1. What inspired you to be an early accredited organization?

We are driven by a commitment to excellence in food banking that goes beyond food distribution. We saw early accreditation as a way to uphold the highest standards of integrity and efficiency.  It allowed us to benchmark our operations, demonstrate accountability and ensure we deliver the best possible service to our clients and community. It also reinforced to our supporters and partners that transparency and quality are at the core of everything we do.

2. Describe your approach to reaching accreditation.

Our approach was strategic and collaborative. We began by carefully reviewing the standards to understand the expectations. We then engaged our staff and board members to ensure everyone understood the importance of the process and how their roles contributed to achieving the standards. Regular check-ins, open communication and dividing the work into manageable tasks helped us stay on track.

3. What was your first step in the process?

Our first step was to conduct a comprehensive self-assessment. This allowed us to identify our strengths, areas for improvement and where we needed to focus the most effort. We gathered documentation, reviewed current policies and created a plan to fill any gaps we identified.

4. Which standards were most manageable to meet? Why?

Standards related to food safety and distribution protocols.  These are areas we’ve always prioritized because the safety and quality of food we provide are critical to our mission. Our existing procedures, training programs and commitment to best practices meant we were already meeting or exceeding many of these standards.

5. What/which standards did you find daunting?

Ensuring comprehensive disaster recovery planning was a bit more challenging. Given the scale and unpredictability of the disasters we’ve faced — from wildfires to atmospheric rivers — creating an adaptable plan required thoughtful consideration.

a. How did you overcome this?

We overcame this by reviewing best practice and plans created throughout the Province and food banking network. It was essential to develop a plan that was both practical and flexible, ensuring we could continue operations under various emergency conditions.

6. What surprised you through the process?

We were surprised by how the process of accreditation strengthened our organization beyond the standards themselves. It encouraged deeper reflection, greater team unity and highlighted the importance of documenting our practices for consistency and continuous improvement.

7. What advice would you offer to other organizations seeking accreditation?

Start with a clear plan and involve your entire team from the beginning. Accreditation isn’t just a checklist — it’s an opportunity to improve your operations and reinforce your mission. Be open to feedback and view the process as an investment in your organization’s long-term success.

8. What value does reaching accreditation provide to your organization?

Accreditation validates our commitment to excellence and helps build trust with our clients, partners and donors. It demonstrates that we operate with integrity, efficiency and accountability, which is essential for sustaining support and partnerships.

a. To the food banking system?

For the food banking system, accreditation helps elevate the collective impact of food banks by ensuring consistent quality, safety and service. It fosters a culture of continuous improvement and strengthens the credibility of food banks across Canada.