Food is too valuable to waste.
As Food Stash enters its 8th year of operations, we are increasingly talking about stability - while remaining flexible and responsive!
With at least 4 more years on our lease, we are relishing the stability of our warehouse space. In 2023 we relaunched our Rescued Food Market and established it as one of our core programs. We hired dedicated Market staff and set up a new membership model. We also streamlined the systems that support our community partner and home delivery programs. And finally, we are also cultivating financial stability. We are taking an “enterprising approach” to our work, acknowledging that we provide services to corporations and communities and that those services have value.
This operational stability and improved operational efficiency has enabled us to keep 1.5 million pounds of good food from going to waste in 2023 and provide dignified food access to 36 other community organizations, 120 low-income households with disabilities or long-term illnesses, an average of 101 average Market members each week and countless community members through our community fridge.
We thank each of you who also contribute to our increasing stability by generously and consistently donating your time, energy, money and/or expertise to help further our mission and serve our community. We especially thank the səl̓ ilw̓ ətaʔɬ, Sḵwx̱ wú7mesh and xwməθkwəy̓ əm Peoples who have stewarded the land upon which we work and enjoy this stability.
Food Donors
Food Stash collects fresh surplus food from grocery stores, wholesalers and farms. The food is donated for aesthetic reasons, overstocking, cancelled orders and approaching best-before dates. We complete over 80 regular food pickups per week.
49 total food donors in 2023
now pick up from the Cambie Street Choices Market 7 days a week
Community Partners
Food Stash delivers fresh surplus food to 36 Community Partners across Vancouver, helping to feed more than 12,000 individuals each week. For a quarter of our Community Partners, 50% to 100% of their food needs are fulfilled by Food Stash deliveries.
1.2 million lbs of food delivered to partners
Community partners reported saving over $1 million thanks to food Stash
Rescued Food Box Program
The Rescued Food Box (RFB) home delivery program is one of Food Stash's longest-standing programs. With a focus on serving people with low incomes and disabilities or long-term illnesses, our incredible team of staff, volunteers, and partner delivery drivers sort, pack, and deliver rescued perishable food to each member’s home.
110 households received delivery boxes
127,639 lbs of food distributed in the RFB program
86% identify as being disabled or having a chronic health condition
100% identify as low income
Rescued Food Market
The Rescued Food Market is a low-barrier, weekly market open to everyone. In 2023, we served over 100 community members each week on average, providing dignified and stigma-free access to nutritious groceries. Each shopper took home over 25 pounds of veggies, fruits, dairy, meat and alternatives, and other staples from each Market visit.
“What I like best about coming to the Rescued Food Market is you can run into familiar faces, and feel like you’re contributing to reducing waste in the city.”
- Rescued Food Market Member
The re-envisioned Rescued Food Market has been a big success, providing streamlined, frontline service to our community with minimal barriers. Members sign up for 3 months, are given reserved appointment times to access the weekly Market and pay a nominal membership fee of $2 per market visit. This system has eliminated long lineups and wait times and has allowed us to plan ahead, stocking the Market according to the number of members registered.
Volunteers
We are lucky to have over 80 active volunteers who create such a warm and welcoming environment. Volunteers from all walks of life come to Food Stash to reduce food waste in our community, help others, and make friends.
3463 volunteer hours
+80 individual volunteers
35 volunteer groups
Not only individuals can get involved, corporate and school groups can, too! Our group volunteer program is a great team-building opportunity and raises public awareness of food waste and food insecurity issues in Canada. It is always a refreshing feeling to share our work with a group of people who are brand new to it all.
Looking Ahead
We are looking forward to continuing to host more fun and engaging workshops and other events that build skills and awareness about food waste! We are always open to ideas or collaborations for food waste-related workshop topics.
We will continue to advocate for food policy change by collaborating with like-minded groups, city officials and other decision-makers to reduce food waste.
To be able to serve more community partner organizations or community members in need of healthy food, we’ll continue to reach out to food retailers, wholesalers, and producers and encourage them to donate the edible food they are unable to sell.
We’re also committed to continuing to improve the function and environmental sustainability of our three food rescue vehicles.
To stay tuned for updates on workshops, our programs and community-building opportunities - sign up for our newsletter below.