We understand the cost of living is higher than ever, and it’s hard to learn when you’re hungry. Yet too much food continues to be wasted! Here are some resources to address both issues at once.
Free fruit harvesting
From mid-August to mid-September, there is an abundance of ripe apples and other fruit (pears, plums, cherries) on residential properties across Prince George. Not all homeowners want to or can harvest fruit from their trees. This creates challenges with bears, but also opportunities for harvesting and sharing fruit in the community.
Prince George Fruit Exchange (Facebook group)
The purpose of the Prince George Fruit Exchange is to link residents that have unwanted fruit with those that want to receive/help pick fruit.
Gleaning Abundance Program
The Gleaning Abundance Program connects fruit tree owners with volunteer pickers to prevent food waste, removing bear attractants and improve community food security.
UNBC Free Food page and UNBC Sustainability Instagram
UNBC sometimes hosts catered events where not all the food served gets eaten. Check out the UNBC Free Food Facebook page or the UNBC Sustainability Instagram @unbcsustainability to get notifications when free food is available on campus!
NUGSS Food Bank
The NUGSS Food Bank (located in the NUGSS office in Building 6) is open to all students. The Graduate Student Society (NBCGSS) also periodically gives out food hampers as well (you will be notified about the hampers through your student email if you are a graduate student).
Friday Soup Lunch
Location: 7-210 in the Interfaith Chapel Space
Time: 12:00 - 2:00 pm
Come and connect with people in your interfaith community over a homemade soup and bun lunch. It's free, it's fun, and there are great conversations and a warm welcome awaiting you.
Salvation Army Foodbank
The Salvation Army Foodbank is open to anyone experiencing food insecurity.
EAT Canning Circle
The Everyone at the Table (EAT) Canning Circle diverts food from the landfill or animal feed by prepping, cooking, and canning. It is a grassroots volunteer project in partnership with The Salvation Army Food Recovery program. 1/3 of food processed goes to the canners, 1/3 is given away to groups working with people in need and 1/3 is sold to raise funds to keep the canning circle going. Food processing sessions are held on Mondays at 5:30 pm at the South Fort George Family Resource Centre.
Flashfood
Get huge savings on fresh food items like meat and produce that are nearing their best before date at grocery stores by downloading the free Flashfood mobile application. The only participating store in Prince George is Real Canadian Superstore.