The launch of Canada’s first free grocery store is set to revolutionize grocery shopping for the nation’s food-insecure population!
Canada is about to get its first grocery store that will provide free food to the community.
Yes, you read that right, located at 1881 Broad St. in downtown Regina, Saskatchewan, it will help people facing food insecurity across the country, according to CBC News.
As the number of people going through food insecurity across Canada surges, food banks have become an important resource for up to 25% of Regina residents.
As of now, the Regina Food Bank offers people a pre-made box of ingredients, which includes canned/boxed foods as well as any other available food items to include vegetables, fruits, meat, etc.
Most of the time, the items in the box can be any kind of mismatched produce combined without regard for food allergies or dietary requirements
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David Froh, Vice-President of the Regina Food Bank, told CBC News that while different clients need different ingredients, everyone receives the same list of items, which might not be entirely useful for them.
Not only are they addressing this issue, but they are also providing free food to around 25% more people by starting the country’s first free grocery store.
This move will also help lessen the burden of shame that many feel when receiving food from a food bank and allow them to choose the food that is actually useful for them.
One client said that he usually exchanges unwanted food items with a neighbor to try and reduce food wastage. However, not everyone does so, and a large amount of food is still wasted.
Aside from feeding the homeless, the Regina Food Bank serves meals and snacks to around 2,000 students, with 18% of food bank clients being full-time working people.
The food bank has managed to to raise CAD$3.7 million for the grocery store from private investors and donations, despite not getting any government funding or grants.
They accept all kinds of donations, whether they are coins from a child’s piggy bank or notable checks obtained through big companies.
To encourage food sustainability and nutritional quality of the produce, Regina Foods likes to source majority of their produce from local farms and community.
The grocery store will be open all five days a week and will also have an activity space outdoors with a basketball court, an outdoor garden, a dining area, and a playground.
To help and support the Regina Food Bank’s new free food grocery store, click here to donate!
