The community impact of Choices Markets’ 1 million donated meals

This month, we’re celebrating an important milestone in our shared effort to reduce food waste and strengthen local food security. Since partnering with FoodMesh in 2023, Choices Markets—a 100% BC-owned grocery chain with 11 stores across the province—has now donated the equivalent of 1 million meals of its surplus food to local hunger-relief organizations. 

FoodMesh matches every Choices store with a network of local charities to collect and redistribute its unsold food every day. We work closely with both the stores and charities to ensure that as much edible food is being shared with the people who need it. 

The food being donated is perfectly good food, but is deemed unsellable because either it is close to its peak freshness date, has aesthetic imperfections, or its packaging contains an error or damage that means shoppers are less likely to purchase it. 

Choices staff diligently collect this unsellable food, and box it up, ready for its local charity to collect it.

Behind every box of rescued food is a story of people coming together to make sure good food doesn’t go to waste. One addiction recovery centre that collects donations from Choices’ Commercial Drive location in Vancouver knows the impact of these donations firsthand:

 “The donations received through Choices Market and the FoodMesh Program have been nothing short of transformational. These contributions allow us to stretch our operational budgets further — ensuring that funds once dedicated to food purchasing can now be redirected toward resident care, programming, and community reintegration initiatives. Simply put, these donations help us nourish both body and spirit. They allow us to provide wholesome, nutritious meals daily for individuals in early recovery, supporting their physical healing and overall sense of dignity and belonging.”

These food donations are much more than simply a nourishing meal for these individuals. As this charity explains, this collaboration has helped to reduce stigma around recovery as each tray of food represents a message of inclusion, that their residents matter and they have a community network supporting them along the way.

“One memorable moment came when a resident who had spent years experiencing food insecurity sat down to a fresh, home-cooked meal sourced entirely from donated food. He looked up and said, ‘It’s been a long time since I’ve eaten something that made me feel human again.’ That single comment captured what these donations truly represent — nourishment, stability, and hope. Beyond the meals themselves, this partnership has created opportunities for residents to participate in meal prep and service, building life skills, teamwork, and pride.”

The threat of food insecurity in those struggling with addiction and substance abuse is often overlooked, despite research showing that 70% of those with addiction were found to be food insecure. Inadequate access to nutritious food is often compounded by other harmful food-related effects of drug abuse – skipping meals, suppressed appetites, and being challenged with competing priorities between spending on food or drugs. As such, access to healthy, quality food is especially crucial for those in recovery to return to healthy eating patterns. This charity that benefits from Choices’ donations elaborates on the importance of quality and consistency in the food donations received:

“We are continually impressed by the quality and variety of the food we receive. Fresh produce, dairy, and baked goods contribute to balanced nutrition, while the consistency of donations allows our residents to plan meals that are both cost-effective and nutritious. This consistency directly supports stability for our residents — a critical factor in early recovery.”

Partnerships like the one between Choices Market and this Vancouver-based charity show us the impact we can have as a community when we come together to do the right thing. There is no act of kindness too small – a seemingly effortless act such as donating surplus food has a ripple effect, resulting in meals created, dignity restored, and lives rebuilt.

Thank you to everyone at Choices Markets for giving food a second chance, and congratulations for reaching this impressive milestone through your partnership with FoodMesh.

Written by Nikki Mertens, FoodMesh