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, many are 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 Barriere Food Bank Society, in Barrière, BC.

What inspired you to be an early accredited organization

Accreditation was first discussed in June 2023 at a regional meeting at the Kamloops Food Bank Hub. There was strong agreement for Food Banks BC to acquire a staff person to support and assist BC food banks in the accreditation process. There would be support. Our local president had past work experience with another agency that had gone through accreditation.  We saw the value of having an organizational structure that would guide and adhere to best practice service and maintain consistency in how the organization functions within a volunteer agency where turnover and recruitment is an ongoing reality. Initial conversations on accreditation started early with both operations and board.

Describe your approach to reaching accreditation. 

We took the end date of April 2025 to heart. In mid-December we received dates for introductory sessions on accreditation from Food Banks BC. January 8, 2024 the Board passed a motion to become accredited and to have an Accreditation committee.  The provincial introductory meeting was presented to the board of directors and posters were made regarding purpose and benefits of accreditation to post in the food bank. The approach was systematic with research, training sessions, networking followed by drafts, review, consulting, revisions, final formatting.

What was your first step in the process?   

The president contacted a veteran food banker who was inactive and she agreed to return to active service to head up this project. Two of the board executive agreed to support her in the endeavour.

After taking on the Accreditation co-ordinator, my first step was to understand what the Standards were and read the guides to meeting them.  We started by working on each section individually and moving to the next once the previous one was complete.  We contacted Katie Orr at Food Banks BC for clarification on topics that we were unsure of. 

Which standards were most manageable to meet? Why? 

In the past I had held numerous positions on the board including treasurer, therefore, I found the financial section most manageable.  Also, my career background in finance helped.  Recruiting an accountant while an added expense took time to procure.

What/which standards did you find daunting?  

I think implementing standards that did not seem as relevant to small rural food banks in an agricultural culture was a challenge. The day our volunteers had to refuse 50 dozen farm fresh eggs from a local farm where some personally buy eggs , was painful. Standards that required documentation of the work we do seemed daunting on those days when there were barely enough hands to even do the work.

How did you overcome this? 

Asking questions and consultation with our BC Standards of Excellence manager and each other.

A volunteer emerged who fully expressed her views to listening ears/hearts and then utilized her impressive skills for detail to implement recording systems. New volunteers were recruited as others left. Technology support was very helpful.

What surprised you through the process? 

What surprised me the most was how willing the Operation volunteers were to embrace change especially related to taking food safe handling courses and implementing new operation policy. Our volunteers are super heroes!

What advice would you offer to other organizations seeking accreditation?  

 Remember it is a process, persevere and network with others.

What value does reaching accreditation provide to your organization? 

There is a sense of satisfaction, however, we continue to be in a learning mode striving to provide ever better service. We are anchored with a business core that allows our food bank volunteers to serve our communities with compassion and heart. Our mission statement is “Powered by community we are neighbours helping neighbours.”

The annual review of our finances by a highly recognized accounting firm puts our food bank on solid ground in terms of donor confidence and core funding.

To the food banking system?

A best practice standard of service throughout Canada guided by the national organization increases credibility, solidarity and advocacy power related to food security for all.