About Us

Food Banks Canada is the only national charitable organization representing and supporting the food bank community across Canada. Learn more about us — how we’re organized, our membership, and our programs.

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Close to 900,000 Canadians each month are assisted by food banks. By understanding the nature of the problem, and the possible solutions, we can all do our part to make a difference.

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Together, we can make a difference to help reduce hunger and improve the lives of the nearly 900,000 Canadians who turn to food banks each month. Learn how you or your company can contribute.

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The latest news about Food Banks Canada, our partners, and our programs, as well as helpful resources for our communications partners and members of the media.

Hunger Fact

Every month, food assistance programs serve more than 3 million meals to those in need.

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About Us > Programs > Retail Food Program

Retail Food Program

Program Goals: The Retail Food Program is a food donation pick-up program arranged with major national retailers. The program provides Members and Affiliate Member food banks with access to safe, quality food that is surplus at the store. Food banks are matched with a retailer’s store for ongoing pick-up of food and consumer products. Food products include non-perishable and perishable items like fresh and frozen foods.

Support: The Retail Food Program allows Members and Affiliate Member food banks to:

  • Distribute more food and consumer products to existing food bank clients.
  • Distribute a greater variety and/or improved quality of food to those in need (e.g. increased fresh, frozen).
  • Build strong relationships with local retailers.

Why should retailers participate?

  • Achieve your Corporate Social Responsibility objectives by:
    • helping Canadians who are hungry
    • contributing to and building relationships in your local community
  • Achieve your environmental goals by reducing your landfill waste and cutting your carbon footprint.

How to participate: Contact Jennifer Beech, Program Coordinator, at 1-877-535-0958 x227.

To learn more about large scale industry donations, read more about our National Food Sharing System.

To learn more about how food banks take appropriate steps to safely handle the food provided through this program, read more about our Safe Food Handling Program.