We say “only TOGETHER” can we fight hunger and root causes. This happens every single day here at the Calgary Food Bank and in countless ways. This month’s Bite of Information, we want to share some of the great collaborations happening with our community partners.
To mark National Volunteer Week, April 24- 30, we want to celebrate the people who help feed hungry Calgarians all year long. Last year alone, volunteers logged close to 96,500 hours (about 11 years) of time at the Calgary Food Bank.
Mikala Wilson is a Primary Care Dietitian with Mosaic Primary Care Network (PCN) and a former volunteer with the Calgary Food Bank. In the spring of 2020, she volunteered in the food distribution area; a few months later, she was asked to help with Food Hamper Nutrition Analysis. THAT was a changing moment for her and for us.
Many of us have done it: Find an unopened box of pasta at the back of the pantry, see that it’s past its best before date, and throw it in the trash or compost to be safe. But is that really necessary? “Best before” and other food labelling terms can cause confusion, and many are surprised to learn that best before dates are simply a guideline, not a rule set in stone.
As we look to the next decade, we can see the food industry changing. Food waste is top-of-mind for consumers, and as a result several food manufacturing companies have made public commitments to reduce operational food waste and large retailers have been introducing apps that encourage customers to buy near-expiring foods at a reduced cost.