Focus on Fresh


Improving access to fresh food in all parts of the country.

basket of food

Did you know that over 40% of all the food that is distributed by Canadian food banks is fresh?

To increase food banks’ ability to distribute fresh food in the future, Food Banks Canada is investing in the national network to expand and safely handle even more nutritious, perishable products for people affected by food insecurity across the country.

Fresh food is at the core of food banking in Canada.

Fresh Product Across The Country

A few examples of how food banks across the country are working to prioritize access to fresh produce for their clients.

Providing individuals and families with access to the most nutritious food

Inspired by the bounty of the community gardens that can be found throughout the Sarnia-Lambton area, staff and volunteers of the Inn of Good Shepherd decided to mobilize local gardeners who had extra produce to donate to the food bank in 2013.

 

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PROVIDING INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WITH ACCESS TO THE MOST NUTRITIOUS FOOD

Sharing fresh produce across communities

Since 2012, the UHC – Hub of Opportunities’ Farm to Food program has worked with growers in the rich agricultural region of Essex County to donate high-quality surplus food to hunger-relief agencies in more than 40 municipalities across Ontario, including Indigenous communities in northern parts of the province.

 

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SHARING FRESH PRODUCE ACROSS COMMUNITIES

Working with farmers and distributors to rescue food

Due to their strong relationship with local farmers, wholesalers and manufacturers, the Greater Vancouver Food Bank (GVFB) reports that 50–60% of the food they currently distribute to clients every week is fresh.

 

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WORKING WITH FARMERS AND DISTRIBUTORS TO RESCUE FOOD

Farming & Community greenhouses

Food bankers aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty to help alleviate hunger. From coast to coast to coast, the network of food banks collects hundreds of thousands of pounds of high-quality, fresh food for people experiencing food insecurity through a combination of seasonal gleaning and growing.

 

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FARMING & COMMUNITY GREENHOUSES

HERE’S HOW YOU CAN HELP IMPROVE ACCESS TO FRESH FOOD ACROSS THE COUNTRY