food share

Rescuing Food

At the heart of the Calgary Food Bank’s operation is Food Rescue, the process of gleaning viable food and redirecting it to support communities locally, provincially, and even nationally. “Gleaning” is the act of rescuing food that is still consumable; this accounts for 91 percent of food donations received last year. Our 360 food industry partners may have food they cannot sell due to factors such as near-date perishable, over stock items, labeling errors, or bent packaging.

The Calgary Food Bank’s experience and expertise allow them to work within the food industry’s supply chain to ensure food is delivered to where it is needed most. Securing quality food donations ensures nutritious food for clients and partners working to reduce root causes. It also identifies true waste and related costs. The Calgary Food Bank and the food industry work together to find opportunities that will result in a hunger-free community with zero waste.

91%

of food donations come from more than

360 food industry partners

Food industry partners include grocery stores, farmers’ markets, wholesalers, manufacturers, vendors, transportation companies, processors, and farms.

illustration of Food Industry Businesses

Food Share

The Food Share Program is part of a national and regional network that distributes perishable and nonperishable food donations to food banks in Southern Alberta and across the country. The Calgary Food Bank has the capacity to handle massive amounts of food. Pallets of food donations are broken down into manageable case quantities for smaller food banks.

The Calgary Food Bank can also redirect large donations like trailers of General Mills cereal and granola bars to food banks in Edmonton, Ontario, and New Brunswick. The Food Share Program works in concert with Food Bank Canada’s National Food Sharing System and Food Bank Alberta’s network of food banks.

 

Does my organization qualify?

The Calgary Food Bank is accepting new applicants. If you are a food bank registered with either Food Banks Alberta, another provincial food bank association, or Food Banks Canada and would like to participate in the Food Share Program, please contact Dustin Roberts.

Numbers reflect our fiscal year, September 1, 2022 to August 31, 2023.

Value of food distributed through the food share program ($)

Food Banks Received food

pounds of food distributed through The food share Program

“We are happy to take everything we are sent, from canned vegetables, fruit, meat, pasta, to peanut butter. I don’t think we’d be able to operate without this as it would be impossible to fill the need out here without your help.”

Gary Tether
Iyahrhe Nakoda Food Bank Society

Food Movement In A Crisis

We are part of a provincial and national network that works with relief organizations, food banks, food industry and transportation companies to provide food support in times of disaster.

How do we do this? Calgary is a delivery hub for the food industry supply chain. We worked for over 35 years to become a link in that chain. Our capacity to accept and distribute large volumes of food allows us to redistribute to other organizations as part of the Regional and National Food Share program. This capacity provides flexibility to mobilize and direct food when and where it’s needed in times of crisis such as the 2013 Alberta floods, the 2016 Fort McMurray and 2017 and 2018 B.C. wildfires.

Semi Truck driving through mountains.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can an organization that is not a Food Bank apply to this program?

No, the Food Share Program is specifically designed for food banks.

If my food bank is not in Alberta, can I still access Food Share?

Yes! Food Banks in Alberta utilize this program the most frequently, but your food bank can be located anywhere in Canada.

Do you pay for the transport of food to other food banks?

No, your food bank is responsible for the cost of shipping the food or supplies that you access from the Calgary Food Bank.

What foods and supplies would our food bank have access to?

As we are dependent on donated food and supplies, the inventory you have access to will change and we can advise at the time of your inquiry what we have available, and in what quantity.

Become A Community Partner

Contact Dustin Roberts by email or call at 403-253-2059 ext. 294 to request an application form and receive more details.

In the spirit of reconciliation, the Calgary Food Bank acknowledges that we live, work and play on the traditional territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Kainai, Piikani), the Tsuut’ina, the Îyâxe Nakoda Nations, the Métis Nation (Region 3), and all people who make their homes in the Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta.

Calgary Food Bank
MAIN LOCATION (WAREHOUSE)

5000 11 Street SE
Calgary, AB T2H 2Y5

FOOD LINK

By appointment only
Monday to Friday: 8:00 am – 11:00 am

Donation Centre, Door 7

Monday to Thursday: 8:00 am – 7:30 pm
Friday and Saturday: 8:00 am – 3:00 pm

CALL TO REQUEST A HAMPER
403-253-2055

Monday to Thursday: 8:15 am – 7:00 pm
Friday: 8:15 am – 4:00 pm

Or book online

 

Administration
ANNEX HOURS

Monday to Thursday: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Friday: 8:30 am – 4:00 pm

ANNEX LOCATION

5020 12A Street SE
Calgary, AB T2G 5K9

CONTACT

Reception: 403-253-2059
info@calgaryfoodbank.com

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