GOLDEN FOOD BANK SOCIETY

THE SOCIETY OPERATES A FOOD BANK AND IS ENGAGED IN FOOD SECURITY WORK IN GOLDEN BC. THEIR PROGRAMS PROVIDE LOW BARRIER FOOD ACCESS AND FOOD LITERACY SKILLS TO RESIDENTS OF GOLDEN AND AREA A. THE SOCIETY IS FUNDED THROUGH A COMBINATION OF GRANTS MONETARY DONATIONS IN-KIND DONATIONS AND PROGRAM & EVENT REVENUE. 1. FOOD BANK PROGRAM - PROVIDES RESIDENTS EXPERIENCING FOOD INSECURITY WITH HAMPERS OF FRESH FOOD AND PANTRY STAPLES. HAMPERS OF FOOD ARE PACKED BY RECIPIENTS THROUGH A CLIENT-CHOICE SHOPPING MODEL. DELIVERY IS PROVIDED FOR PEOPLE WHO FACE BARRIERS TO VISITING THE FOOD BANK IN PERSON. 2. MEAL KIT PROGRAM - MEAL KITS ARE AVAILABLE TO ANYONE WHO WOULD BENEFIT FROM AN AFFORDABLE HOME-COOKED MEAL. VOLUNTEERS ASSEMBLE KITS WITH PRE-PORTIONED INGREDIENTS AND AN EASY TO FOLLOW RECIPE. THE LOW PRICE POINT COVERS THE COST OF PURCHASED INGREDIENTS IN THE KIT. 3. BC FARMERS MARKET NUTRITION COUPON PROGRAM - PROVIDES COUPONS THAT CAN BE REDEEMED TO PURCHASE LOCAL FRESH FOOD DIRECTLY FROM THE FARMERS MARKET. THE SOCIETY IS THE ADMINISTRATOR FOR THE PROGRAM IN GOLDEN BC. 4. FOOD RECOVERY PROGRAM - RUN THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES AND PROVINCIAL FOOD BANK NETWORKS THAT HAVE FOOD THAT IS STILL SAFE TO EAT BUT CAN NO LONGER BE SOLD. RECOVERED FOOD IS PICKED UP DAILY. 5. EDUCATION & FOOD LITERACY PROGRAMS - HELP RESIDENTS LEARN HOW TO GROW PROCESS AND PREPARE THEIR OWN FOOD. THIS INCLUDES WORKSHOPS A COMMUNAL GARDEN PROGRAM AND TOOL LENDING LIBRARY. IN 2024 OVER 750 HOURS WERE DONATED BY DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS TO HELP OPERATE THE SOCIETY’S PROGRAMS.

6. NEIGHBOURS AFFORDABLE MARKET - FROM JUNE TO NOVEMBER 2024 THE SOCIETY PILOTED A NON-PROFIT GROCERY PROGRAM. THE MARKET WAS GRANT-FUNDED AND PROVIDED SUBSIDIZED MEAL KITS FRESH PRODUCE AND GROCERY ITEMS TO FAMILIES EXPERIENCING SHORT-TERM FINANCIAL CHALLENGES. 7. FOOD RESCUE DAYS - ANNOUNCED TO THE WIDER COMMUNITY WHEN THERE IS A SURPLUS OF RECOVERED FOOD TO SHARE THAT WILL EXPIRE BEFORE THE NEXT FOOD BANK DISTRIBUTION DAY. 8. SPECIAL PROJECTS ENCOMPASS GRANT FUNDED INITIATIVES THAT FALL BEYOND THE SCOPE OF CORE PROGRAMMING. THE SOCIETY ENGAGES IN THESE PROJECTS WHEN THEY SERVE TO SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT OR THE ASPECT OF THEIR MISSION THAT SPEAKS TO BUILDING FOOD SECURITY IN A CONTEXT OF PARTNERSHIP AND COLLABORATION. IN 2024 SPECIAL PROJECTS INCLUDED: a. Emerging Stronger and Telling Our Story (ESTOS) - project funded through the Community Services Recovery Fund (Government of Canada) to develop and implement a community engagement strategy and build organizational integrity through revamped bylaws governance and operational policies. b. Regional Food Procurement Network Project (REGPILOT) - pilot project funded by an anonymous donor to develop a regional approach to food procurement for food banks and other community food programs. c. Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRP) - project funded by the Union of BC Municipalities jointly to the Town of Golden and CSRD convened and administered by the Golden Food Bank Society to develop a strategic plan to guide collaborative efforts toward poverty reduction in collaboration with local government and community service providers.