What’s for dinner? It’s the age-old question and problem to solve, but the answers are becoming more and more difficult to come by for individuals and families who are struggling to put food on the table amid the cost-of-living crisis in Canada. Food Banks Canada is in regular contact with our network of more than…
We are always interested in hearing more about the individuals in food banking across Canada! This month, our spotlight is on Rachael Wilson from the Ottawa Food Bank. What is your role in food banking? I am the CEO of the Ottawa Food Bank. My role is to help achieve our short and long-terms goals…
Food Banks Canada is committed to truth and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and building positive relationships with Indigenous communities across Canada. As our CEO, Kirstin Beardsley, told the Toronto Star for a story on why food alone won’t solve hunger, building partnerships with Indigenous communities is “about that community being in the driver’s seat, in…
Throughout the summer, Food Banks Canada embarked on a six-week virtual “road trip” from coast to coast to coast, putting food banks and food insecurity organizations from across the national network in the driver’s seat for a series of Instagram takeovers. Beginning in July at Nanaimo Loaves and Fishes in B.C., and concluding in late August at…
Back in July, we told you about how the Ikurraq Food Bank in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut demonstrated its ability to be nimble and creative by turning donated P.E.I. potatoes into delicious tuktu poutine. But the Ikurraq Food Bank isn’t the only organization in the network of over 4,750 hunger relief organizations supported by Food Banks…
When the Cherryville Food & Resources Society received a grant in 2017 to support a collective community garden initiative, food bank president Sharon Harvey says she knew exactly who to call to get growing. As a small, rural community in the North Okanagan area of B.C. with a population of less than 1,000, Harvey says…
2021 was the best year yet for the Ottawa Food Bank’s Community Harvest Program. With over 167,000 pounds of fruit and vegetables produced for clients in need across the national capital region last year, Community Harvest Manager Jason Gray says the program was able to reap a record-breaking crop through the generosity and dedication of…
Back in 2010, a community-minded neighbour in Saskatoon was inspired to repurpose a vacant lot that was overgrown with waist-high weeds as a productive plot for the Saskatoon Food Bank & Learning Centre. Since then, the 1.5-acre urban farm has been able to grow almost 200,000 pounds of nourishing produce for emergency food hampers. But…
There’s something wholesome about getting your hands dirty in the garden and growing your own food. That’s if you ask Alex Boyd, the executive director of Fredericton’s Greener Village food bank in New Brunswick. “There’s just something therapeutic about working the ground, being outside, and getting the fresh air and the sunlight,” Boyd says. “I…
We are always interested in hearing more about the individuals in food banking across Canada! This month, our spotlight is on Dan Huang-Taylor from Food Banks BC. What is your role in food banking? I am the executive director for Food Banks BC. I am part of a team of six staff that support our…