Winnipeg Harvest Welcomes $414,133 of Food From Food Banks Canada, Representing Manitoba’s Share of Their Government of Canada Surplus Food Grant Program

Winnipeg Harvest is glad to hear Food Banks Canada (FBC) was selected to disseminate quality surplus food throughout their established, national distribution system, in partnership with the food banking network across Canada. Thanks to their existing cold chain capacity, retail food reclamation programs and National Food Sharing System, FBC is well positioned to deliver food to us in a safe and timely manner.

As FBC’s partner organization in Manitoba, Winnipeg Harvest will receive $414,133 of FBC’s $11,358,529 investment in surplus food between September and December 2020, which we will distribute to hungry Manitobans through our network of 300+ food banks and agencies across the province.

Since 2010, FBC has sourced and shared almost 1.5 billion pounds of food and over $100 million in funding to help maximize collective impact and strengthen local capacity of food banks, all while advocating to address the systemic issues related to poverty and ultimately reducing the need for food banks. In Manitoba, Winnipeg Harvest shares 11 million pounds of food each year with hardworking families, hungry children and struggling adults.

“COVID-19 has created a surge in demand for food assistance in Manitoba, and we are grateful to the federal government for investing in Manitobans,” says Keren Taylor-Hughes, CEO, Winnipeg Harvest. “Manitoba’s share of FBC funds will translate into 158,066 pounds of food, or 50 pounds of food for 3,161 families this fall.”

Food Banks Canada will be purchasing and sending perishable items like bison, turkey, veal, fish, and seafood. These foods will be safely received, stored, and packaged into food hampers in our Winnipeg Warehouse and distributed throughout our food bank network to hungry Manitobans.

“Thanks to the Surplus Grant program and the generosity of our existing partner organizations in Manitoba like Dairy Farmers of Manitoba, Manitoba Chicken Producers, Egg Farmers of Manitoba and Peak of the Market to name a few, we will be able to increase the amount of quality, nutritious, fresh foods that we share with hungry Manitobans” added Taylor-Hughes.

About Winnipeg Harvest

For 35 years, Winnipeg Harvest has been dedicated to helping Manitobans living with food insecurity. Our vision is clear: a Manitoba where no one goes hungry. We share food with more than 70,000 Manitobans every month through our provincial network of 300+ food banks and partner agencies including schools, daycares, soup kitchens and various programs.

For more information about our services and how to make a donation, please visit WinnipegHarvest.org.