Metro Vancouver is supporting the creation of a regional food recovery network
Metro Vancouver
Regional Food Recovery Network
If food waste were measured as a country, it would be the world’s third-worst emitter of greenhouse gases (after China and the US). Food waste is an enormous problem and one we need to take action against.
Metro Vancouver is updating its solid waste management plan with the goal of reducing solid waste and related emissions through a transition to a circular economy. Food recovery efforts prevent unsold food from going to waste or compost, avoid CO2e emissions and create jobs.
Metro Vancouver has a contract with FoodMesh to increase food recovery in the region. The Food Recovery Network project helps Metro Vancouver based food businesses divert their unsold food from going to waste or compost in a safe, cost effective and convenient way.
How to get involved
Join a growing community of organizations that are coming together to help ensure that no food unnecessarily goes to waste.
If you have
surplus food
Tell us more about your surplus,
so we can start finding you a recipient for that food.
If you need
donated or low-cost food
Join the network and we will be in touch
as soon as there is surplus food available in your area.
SUPPORT FOR UNEXPECTED SURPLUS
We know you might get caught out with large quantities of unexpected surplus food. We’re here to help you put that food to its highest end use, quickly and easily, so it doesn’t go to waste.
How it works
- Contact us with details of your surplus food
- We’ll find a local hunger-relief organization (or farmer) to pick up that food within 1 hour
- Your food gets picked up within 2 business days
- You reduce waste, feed more and save money on your waste hauling fees
SUPPORT FOR ONGOING SURPLUS
For many businesses, surplus arises on a regular basis. We help you divert it away from waste streams on the schedule you decide, reliably and hassle-free:
How it works
- You determine the frequency of pickups
- We match you with a network of local hunger-relief organizations and/or hobby farmers
- Your surplus is picked up from your dock
- You reduce waste, feed more and save money on your waste hauling fees
Meet Metro Vancouver’s food recovery network
Find a use for your unsalable food
Select the type of surplus food you have and connect with a local organization that can help you put it to good use.
Food from multiple grocery departments
FoodMesh Managed Food Diversion Services
Maximize the amount of food you divert to a network of charities and/or farmers on a schedule you decide.
Second Harvest Food Rescue App
Donate your unsold food to a network of local charities.
Flash Foods
Sell your close-to-expiry products to consumers at a reduced cost.
Unprocessed produce (e.g. whole apples, mandarins, avacados)
FoodMesh Marketplace
Sell or donate your large volumes of surplus produce to a local business or charity.
Peko Produce
Sell your imperfect produce to consumers at a reduced cost
Vancouver Food Runners
Donate your surplus food to a network of local charities (2 box minimum)
Food scraps (e.g. kitchen scraps, dinner plate waste)
FoodMesh Managed Food Diversion Services
Connect with a local farmer to feed it to their animals.
Cooked/pre-prepared food (e.g. frozen meals, bakery items, sandwiches, sushi rolls)
Vancouver Food Runners
Donate your surplus food to a network of local charities (2 box minimum)
La Tablée des Chefs
Donate your surplus food to a network of local charities
Too Good To Go
Sell your surplus food to consumers at a reduced cost
Non-perishables (e.g. cans and dried food)
FoodMesh Marketplace
Sell or donate your large volumes of non-perishable surplus food to a local business or charity.
Vancouver Food Runners
Donate your surplus food to a network of local charities (2 box minimum)
Fat, animal by-products (e.g. used cooking oil, deadstock)
Westcoast Reduction
Turn it into ingredients for pet and livestock feed, as well as fertilizers, soaps, lubricants, detergents, and biofuel
Don’t see what you’re looking for?
Give us a call, and we’ll work with you to try to find a recipient for your surplus food.
Other ways to participate
Resource library
For recipients
How to increase access to food donations (webinar recording)
What food recovery involves - for hunger-relief agencies (webinar recording)
Directory of food recovery service providers in Metro Vancouver
Grants and funding opportunities in Metro Vancouver
Advertise volunteer opportunities at your organization
Vancouver food asset map
7 tips for food donor recruitment by Vancouver Food Runners
FoodMesh's food safety guide
What expiration dates really mean
“I have worked at various food manufacturers where I have initiated and used the FoodMesh application, network and tools to divert surplus food from landfills to various charities. Food manufacturers have surplus for various reason, most of which is safe and palatable foods which are perfectly fine for human consumption. It was very hard for me to connect with local charities and FoodMesh has facilitated the process and made it quick and efficient. Furthermore, it has brought an SOP in place so that when I left a company, the continuity of the process kept on. They have a user-friendly Marketplace and application and their customer service team is always there to help. I am proud to have contributed to their goal of reducing food waste and increasing food security in our communities by providing food and ingredients through their program. I wish more companies could partake in the FoodMesh initiative to increase their impact on our communities.”
– Jo Pilon, food donor