Hope is taking action. This spring, step into the Circle of GOOD and join us in ensuring everyone has access to GOOD food.
There are many ways to get involved and be part of changing the story about food loss in our community.
Each year millions of pounds of edible healthy food is lost and ends up going to waste instead of to the people for which it was intended. You can turn the page on this old story and help us write a new one.
This April we launch our Spring Appeal and our signature campaign FOOD for GOOD Week where we champion and share stories about the impact of GOOD surplus food on people and planet.
Learn more about all the inspiring ways you can make a difference this spring inside this latest issue of the Fresh News and be sure to try the amazing Rhubarb recipe inside…a spring treat for sure!
Thank you for always supporting the impactful work we do!
Graham Hill, Executive Director
April 21st – 28th Food for Life is mobilizing and educating the community about the power of GOOD surplus food. We encourage you to join an event, donate, rally your family, friends, or community, and take action to elevate the conversation about rescued food and its positive impact on people and our planet.
Did you know that Food for Life is part of the National Zero Waste Council?
That’s right, while our core business is alleviating poverty by sharing GOOD rescued surplus food, we recognize that there is always some waste, or inedible food, that needs to be managed.
We work hard with our volunteers to separate all food from it’s packaging and get each item into the correct waste stream. On average about 10% of the food we rescue is inedible for a variety of reasons, but more than 8% of it goes to compost instead of landfill and all the packaging goes where it belongs.
Are we perfect, not yet, but with focused effort we reduced our waste to landfill significantly in just one year!
Now its your turn…have you heard of Waste Free Cooking?
There are steps that everyone can take to reduce their own food waste at home and join the Circle of GOOD. Zero Waste Cooking is a fast-growing trend, that everyone can take part in.
In order to reduce (or ideally eliminate) food waste, one must get creative in ways to use all food parts. When cooking a roast chicken, the meat is not the only valuable part. The bones can be used to make a delicious and healthy bone broth. Vegetable scraps can also be put into broths to make them more flavourful.
What are some ways that you can think to reach zero waste in the Kitchen? Let us know on social media.
Ingredients
Directions
Nutrition Facts
1/4 cup: 58 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 1mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 1g fiber), 0 protein.
Source: tasteofhome.com/recipes/chunky-rhubarb-applesauce/
Book a Team Experience Enjoy a 2–3-hour turn-key experience with an on-site tour of our warehouse and operations, education on the power of rescued food and the opportunity to bring your team or group together in a meaningful way – helping people and the planet.
Two locations to serve you. Mountainside Warehouse in Burlington and in Milton at our Tremaine Market at Country Heritage Park. Contact Laura at Laura@FoodForLife.ca for details and to reserve your spot.
Donate Every $10 you donate provides $62.50 worth of GOOD food and groceries to households in our community. Donate today!
Host a Food Hero Fundraiser Bring your business, family, or community organization together and help raise funds and awareness for Food for Life. We’d love to hear your ideas and offer our support.
Share your time as a Volunteer We have rewarding and meaningful volunteer experiences that are as flexible and interesting as you are. Click here for opportunities.
Irene was introduced to Food for Life last year during FOOD for GOOD Week when she dropped into our Saturday compost event to pick up compost for the geraniums and snap peas in her balcony garden. After picking up compost, she did a tour of Food for Life and was immediately interested in volunteering with us.
“The thing that caught me the most about this organization was the fact that Food for Life ensures that once food is past the point of usability for people they work hard to divert it from landfill by turning it into compost. I thought that was so cool.”
Our Mountainside Market was a new program at the time and when another volunteer had mentioned that there are market volunteer positions available, it immediately piqued her interest. She then registered online and did a shadow shift in the week to follow. She has been volunteering in our Market ever since.
The Circle of GOOD at Food for Life, is something Irene sees and experiences through her volunteer work. “You have to feel GOOD about what you’re doing (volunteering), because you’re giving food to people that need it. It is making use of food that would otherwise be wasted. So it’s a win-win for everybody, including me.”
“More than 100 people join us each week to shop at the Tremaine Market to bring home GOOD food to their families…I cannot believe how quickly the community has recognized the benefit of this new model of service in Milton.” Lori – Food for Life Staff
The Tremaine Market located onsite with our partner Country Heritage Park is up and operational. Not only is the market providing people with access to fresh, healthy GOOD rescued food, but it is also a full shopping experience. This allows neighbours to select produce items they would like for themselves and their families, similar to shopping at any grocery store, except with no cost.
Neighbours share the experience is less stigmatizing, especially for those that are experiencing food insecurity for the first time. The support reduces their stress levels and helps them stretch their budget.
Join the Circle of GOOD and help us serve community. Volunteer opportunities include individuals, groups and caring companies. These experiences are now available in Milton.
“It started with a phone call to explore options on how we could make a difference in community… now we have an established partnership that is helping communities across Canada with needed funds and good surplus Becel and Violife product.” Mandy Au, Upfield
Two years ago, the Upfield group was looking to continue the GOOD work of their Kind Hearts Fund and Bake a Difference campaigns. Both had a positive impact across Canada supporting charities helping Canadians struggling with the challenges of accessing healthy food due to income insecurity.
Food for Life answered the call, literally. Laura remembers the day the phone call came in about how the Upfield team could support with a donation of $5000. “It was memorable as there was more to it then just the donation, the team at Upfield was asking great questions about our impact, thoughts on how they could make a real difference.”
Since that initial phone call Food for Life has supported Upfield with guidance, connections, and logistics. From a backpack program in Nova Scotia to transportation in Nanaimo, it has been an amazing two years with more than one million in funding shared across Canada. Food for Life receives funding and access to surplus product to support locally and across Ontario.
Thank you, Upfield, for your caring and thoughtful support and we look forward to many years to come.
Our Board of Directors is a driving force of GOOD at Food for Life. We could not achieve the GOOD that we do out in our community, without our Board members behind the scenes ensuring we are staying true to our charitable mission and rallying resources to support the amazing staff team in making the GOOD happen.
GOOD Governance through organizational planning, ensuring adequate fundraising resources, and fiduciary, ethical and legal responsibilities are all essential parts of ensuring that Food for Life can continue to serve community. Their knowledge, experience and passion are crucial elements to our Circle of GOOD.
Learn more about our Board of Directors here.
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Food for Life Canada Office
2258 Mountainside Drive
Burlington, ON L7P 1B7
905-635-1106
