Turning Waste into Hope: The John Howard Society of Brandon’s Innovative Food Rescue Mission
Jan 13, 2025
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For the past three years, the John Howard Society of Brandon has been at the forefront of the Food Rescue Grocery Store project, addressing a critical issue: 58% of the food produced in Canada is never eaten. Much of this food never reaches grocery stores or restaurants. The project focuses on rescuing this food, preventing it from ending up in landfills, and using it to feed individuals facing food insecurity.
The Food Rescue Grocery Store operates on a self-sustaining model where it does not require government funding to function, while managing to donate up to 40% of the rescued food to food banks, soup kitchens, and other agencies that provide food to those in need at no cost. At the store, individuals pay for the food at a heavily discounted rate, typically around 35% of the retail prices found in regular grocery stores, enabling the community they serve access to essential needs.
When the John Howard Society of Brandon approached Bison to help create a logistics solution, the long-term partnership began. Empty trailers that needed to be deadheaded for existing clients were leveraged, creating a mutually beneficial arrangement. This innovative approach not only maximizes the use of resources but also significantly reduces transportation costs and environmental impact.
A significant milestone was achieved recently when a major pork producer made their first donation of 25,000 kgs of pork. This donation alone provides protein for 100,000 meals to those in need and stopped the equivalent of 45 Tonnes of CO2 from being brought to the landfill. This collaboration highlights the importance of partnerships in tackling large-scale issues like food waste and food insecurity. The day after this shipment arrived, 139 families came into the store,
“The looks on their faces alternated between relief at the amount of food they could afford and concern over how heavy it was to carry!”
Ross Robinson, Operations Director, Food Rescue Grocery Store
Together, the John Howard Society of Brandon and Bison are making a significant impact in the fight against food insecurity and food waste. Their efforts not only provide immediate relief to those in need but also contribute to a more sustainable and efficient food system. The success of the Food Rescue Grocery Store project serves as an inspiring model for other communities and organizations to follow, demonstrating that with innovative solutions and strong partnerships, we can make a real difference in addressing critical social and environmental challenges.