Community Involvement
BCfresh supports these non-profit organizations
The Greater Vancouver Food Bank (GVFB)
The GVFB is a non-profit organization with a mission to provide healthy food to those in need. The GVFB provides assistance to over 16,000 people each month through direct distribution in Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster, and the North Shore. The GVFB also provides food support to 141 community agencies throughout these communities, such as housing agencies, women and children’s shelters, transition houses and after-school programs, which in turn provide meals and snacks to thousands of people each week.
BCfresh supports the GVFB by providing cost-controlled access to fresh local produce as well as donating fresh produce.
Learn more about the Greater Vancouver Food Bank.
Food Banks BC
Food Banks BC is the provincial association representing food banks throughout British Columbia and is a proud member of Food Banks Canada.
Food Banks BC supports their members by providing resources essential for their growth and sustainability. This includes distributing food and financial donations, providing access to training and capacity-building programs, and facilitating networking opportunities. Additionally, they serve as a unified voice, advocating for the needs of food banks and their communities across the province, representing a network of 102 food banks throughout British Columbia.
Learn more about Food Banks BC.
Surrey Food Bank
The Surrey Food Bank is a registered charity with a vision of “A nourished and thriving community, free of poverty”. Since 1983, the Surrey Food Bank has been assisting individuals and families living in Surrey and North Delta by providing nutritious food to supplement their own food purchases.
All funding comes from our community as the food bank does not receive any core government funding. The combination of staff and community contributions whether they are financial gifts, food, volunteer time, initiative or skills is powerful.
BCfresh supports the Surrey Food Bank in two main ways – providing cost-controlled access for weekly purchases of fresh local produce, as well as donations of fresh produce during key times of the year.
Please support the Surrey Food Bank today by visiting Surrey Food Bank Society.
Delta Farmland & Wildlife Trust
BCfresh proudly sponsors the annual Day at the Farm event, where local produce is available by donation. Since 2007, residents from across the Lower Mainland have traveled to Westham Island to experience a day in the life of a local farmer.
Hosted by Delta Farmland & Wildlife Trust, in partnership with Westham Island Herb Farm, Day at the Farm is a family-friendly event that invites the community to explore the challenges and rewards of farming in the Fraser River Delta.
Through interactive booths and displays, attendees can learn about soil health, ecosystem services, and the vital role farmers play as stewards of the land.
Learn more about the event by visiting Delta Farmland & Wildlife Trust.
Take a Bite of BC
Take a Bite of BC is a BC Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation initiative to raise appreciation for local farms and their importance within the community, economically and environmentally.
BCfresh donates produce to high school culinary arts programs so students can experience the benefits of cooking with locally grown food. The produce is delivered from the BCfresh facility to the classroom and many of the classroom lessons are then served in the school cafeteria.
Learn more about Take a Bit of BC.
Fresh to You Fundraiser
Schools participating in the BC Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation’s Fresh to You Fundraiser receive bundles of locally grown fresh fruits and BCfresh vegetables to sell to families and friends. This initiative not only supports schools by channeling all profits back to them but also educates students and families about the benefits of fresh, locally sourced produce. Each year, over 100,000 pounds of BC-grown produce, packed into more than 6,000 bundles, are delivered to 132 communities across the province.
Learn more about Fresh to You Fundraiser.