Grocery stores from Penticton to Âé¶čAV are helping those facing food insecurity, including school children, by donating meals to local charities.
The initiative is through FoodMesh with Georgia Main Food Groupâs IGA and Fresh St. Market stores, which partners with 220 charities across B.C.
Gary Sorenson, president and Chief Operating Officer of Georgia Main Food Group said the charities distribute the food to people in British Columbia and since 2020, about 3.5 million meals have been donated.
âIâm beyond proud of our store management teams for their diligence going department by department to ensure surplus healthy foods like fruit and vegetables are not being thrown out and wasted and that we can quickly and efficiently get these foods directly to people who need it,â said Sorenson.
Jessica Regan, CEO and co-founder of FoodMesh pointed out that more than half of the food produced in Canada goes to waste.
âThese staggering statistics highlight the deep flaws in Canadaâs food system. However, in this landscape, Georgia Main has never wavered from its commitment to reducing food waste across its stores,â she said. âIn keeping its unsold food out of waste streams, Georgia Main has also averted over five million KG of C02e emissions from entering the atmosphere.â
A variety of local charities including food banks in Metro Vancouver, the Okanagan, the Sunshine Coast, and other regions of B.C. pick up and distribute the storesâ food donations.
The following IGA stores in the Okanagan partner with area food banks:
âąIGA Penticton â Penticton Soupateria
âąIGA Summerland â Summerland Foodbank and Penticton Soupateria
âąIGA Peachland â Peachland Food Bank
âąTwo IGA Âé¶čAV locations â Central Okanagan Food Bank
âąIGA Lake Country â Lake Country Food Bank
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