The Food Rescue Project provides over 35,000 people in Greater Victoria with access to fresh and healthy food, while diverting over 4,550 kg (10,000 lbs) of food waste from our landfills each day.
Food insecurity occurs when people do not have reliable and regular access to quality, healthy, culturally appropriate, affordable food. It affects approximately 50,000 people in the capital region and around half a million people province-wide.
- 14% of people in the capital region (approximately 50,000 people) identify as food insecure, slightly higher than the national food insecurity rate of 12.7%
- 20,000 residents (approx. 30% of which are children) use food banks or meal programs, meaning that there are 30,000 people in the region who comprise the ‘hidden hungry’
- 1 in 5 children in BC live in poverty
The partners of Island Food Caring understand that individuals and families need access to nutritious, safe fresh food like fruits, vegetables, and dairy. These partners believe that hunger should not exist in our community and that everyone should have the energy to work, learn, and play. These partners have come together to take a stand against hunger and include:
- The Mustard Seed Street Church, and the agencies of the Food Share Network, which have been doing this work for years and have profound expertise and understanding of community need and how to help our region become more food secure.
- Country Grocer | Fairways Market | Red Barn Markets | The Root Cellar | Thrifty Foods: Participating grocery retailers in the Island Food Caring campaign came together because they understand the importance of ensuring all members of our community have access to fresh, quality food. Their fundraising power, as a collective group, helps to ensure that programs operating in the region are funded and sustainable for many years to come.
- Rotary Clubs of South Vancouver Island are also keen to step forward and support food security. Their commitment of time, treasure and talent to the execution of the Island Food Caring campaign helps to ensure that fundraising dollars are maximized and put directly into food security efforts.
- The Victoria Foundation believes food security is central to the well-being of people, which makes it a priority for our region and the province. The Foundation’s expertise in facilitating community discussion and collaboration is what enables it to connect donors and people in the community with this important issue.