Less food going to the landfill thanks to Loaves & Fishes and Buy-Low Foods
By Joan Janzen
joanjanzen@yahoo.com
For the past year and a half, Loaves & Fishes in Kindersley has provided free homemade soup and bread to anyone who could benefit from it. Now the non-profit organization is officially partnering with a retail food recovery program called FoodMesh. Buy-Low Foods, a Kindersley grocery store, will enable Loaves & Fishes to distribute much more food to Kindersley and surrounding communities, including fruit, vegetables and other perishables, effectively becoming a complete food distribution centre.
FoodMesh has observed that 58% of all food produced in Canada is not eaten and has concluded that there isn’t a food shortage problem; there is a connection program. As a result, they are endeavouring to provide a solution.
FoodMesh originated in 2015 when its co-founders saw edible produce headed to landfills because it was too ripe for retail or close to its best before date. Consequently, they learned that food was often wasted because it was easier and cheaper for food businesses to pay to have their overstock and imperfect food sent to landfills than to find an alternative use for it.
Stores are forced to throw food away because they cannot sell it. However, people in our communities can use that food and put it to good use. Welcome to the retail food recovery program. The objective is to redirect grocery store food away from landfills to the best use.
For the program to run smoothly, FoodMesh supplies training and access to an application that records donation data. Consistent and reliable pick-ups and access to a reliable van are just a few of the requirements. Refrigeration and warehouse space is needed, and regular clients who can use the food. Most importantly, volunteers are necessary for pick-ups and deliveries, sorting and other jobs.
If you know someone who could benefit from this initiative phone 306-460-9304 or 306-463-6146.
The launching of the FoodMesh initiative took place at Buy-Low Foods on July 7.
