Greater Vancouver Food Bank finds new home

After years without a permanent location to provide services, The Greater Vancouver Food Bank (GVFB) has purchased a new, long-term facility.

The charity found a permanent home in a 65,000 square foot facility on Lougheed Highway near Boundary Road to support both direct distribution to clients and about 170 agency partners.

David Long, Greater Vancouver Food Bank CEO, says it’s the perfect location.

“An average day here now, we’re seeing about a thousand people a day, five days a week, come and pick up food,” Long explained.

The state-of-the-art facility is fully equipped with 19,000 cubic feet of refrigeration and will distribute thousands of pounds of food each week.

“We’re handing out food directly from the fridge, so we’re really making sure that everything is as fresh as possible.”

Almost 80 per cent of what is being given out is fresh and nutritious, including curated monthly meal kits made for seniors, children, and families.

“Look at this — it’s on the vine,” said Long, proudly showing off some fresh tomatoes.

When the GVFB secured its permanent location, it felt encouraged to launch its ‘Fresh Start’ program, helping to connect clients to third-party organizations on site for support.

“We partnered with WorkBC, immigration social services, Coast Mental Health Association. So as we get to know our clients… we can introduce them to these social services,” said Long.

“The whole idea is to help people get through a tough time.”

Donors and a capital fundraising campaign made the purchase possible. And Long says it will help strengthen the bank’s ability to provide poverty-reduction services and address food insecurity in the Lower Mainland.

“We’re doing things a little differently, and hopefully people will pay attention.”