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 providing FoodMesh with funding to significantly grow its network in the region, and use its existing programs and services to help organizations quickly and easily divert their surplus food to organizations that can put that food to its highest-end use.
This work is supporting Metro Vancouver’s Board Strategic Plan vision to embrace collaboration and innovation in providing sustainable regional services that contribute to a livable and resilient region and a healthy natural environment.
Located in Vancouver?
You may also be interested in the Vancouver Food Recovery Network.
How it works
Join a growing community of organizations that are coming together to help ensure that no food unnecessarily goes to waste.
Once you’ve joined the network, a member of the team will be in touch to match you to the program(s) below that best meets your needs.
Marketplace
Whether you have surplus food, or are looking for low-cost or donated food, our online B2B Marketplace will connect you to what you need.
Open to food suppliers, distributors, processors, retailers, grocers, restaurants, caterers and charitable organizations.
Retail Food Recovery Program
If you are a retailer, we can help you reduce your food waste and ensure that all of your surplus food is put to good use. If you are a charitable organization looking for fresh food donations, this program can set you up with a regular supply.
Open to retailers, charities, farmers and composters.
If FoodMesh’s programs and services can’t help you with your unique food recovery needs, we will draw on our extensive network to try to connect you to an organization that can.
Get involved
Cooking class using rescued food
To mark Stop Food Waste Day, Metro Vancouver network member Theresa Contois from Cedar Feast House Catering showed us how to make a delicious beef bourguignon (using food donations she rescued from local retailers), before sharing it with residents of Vancouver’s downtown eastside.
Webinar: How to increase access to food donations
For charitable organizations in Metro Vancouver interested in learning about food recovery and how to get started. Featuring presentations by:
Jessica Regan
FoodMesh
Mary Robson
Friends in Need Food Bank
Krista Loewen
Vancity
Michelle Reining
Vancouver Food Runners
Webinar: Meet 5 BC solution providers that can help you put your unsold food and organics to good use
We teamed up with the BC Food and Beverage Association to share some ideas for different ways food manufacturers and processors in Metro Vancouver can keep their surplus food out of waste streams. Featuring presentations by:
Chris Thompson
ReFeed Farms and Waste Collection
Christine Couvelier
Trendi
Arielle Lok
Peko Produce
Michelle Reining
Vancouver Food Runners
Other ways to participate
Resource library
For recipients
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