Our Impact
2023 Impact
1,263,540
pounds of food
1,030,450
equivalent meals
+51%
program growth
In 2023, Vancouver Food Runners (VFR) scaled by 51% in terms of pounds of food delivered by volunteers to support Metro Vancouver nonprofits operating essential food programs. Through rain, snow, weekends, and holidays, dedicated VFR volunteers completed 6,959 food rescues and delivered 1.26 million pounds of food (the equivalent of 1 million meals) - a truly remarkable community achievement.
We also recognize that food recovery cannot solve food insecurity. That said, the need for food is urgent - food is expensive to purchase and food insecurity is rising in Metro Vancouver. As such, VFR plays a significant role in supporting nonprofits with critical food donations. In 2023, 150 food businesses donated healthy surplus food (91% fresh!) to 145 nonprofit partners operating essential food programs. As our third full year in operation, we are becoming one of the top food recovery organizations in Metro Vancouver, and we will continue to work towards a just, equitable, resilient, and sustainable food system for all.
2022 Impact
At VFR, 2022 was our second full year in operation, and VFR's volunteers delivered 835,915 pounds of food - 696,595 equivalent meals - to the community. VFR’s cost-effective and efficient transport model that uses innovative app technology (powered by Food Rescue Hero) and a team of dedicated volunteers allowed us to get healthy, surplus food from 162 Metro Vancouver food businesses to 125 nonprofits operating essential food program and wrap-around social services. The program grew by 17.5% in 2022; and for every $1 donated to VFR, $8.54 in food was delivered to the community. Last year, the average food rescue provided 179 pounds of food (in-kind value: $574). 2022 was a year of organizational learning and growth, and we look towards the future with renewed energy to advance a more equitable and sustainable food system for all.
2021 Impact
2021 was our first full year in operation. Our team evolved and grew with Chloe Leslie stepping into the role of Program Manger and Kaum Kulatilake joining as Program Coordinator. This year was also about laying down processes and systems that have allowed our food recovery program to scale. Through a solid group effort, one that includes our dedicated volunteers, food donors, and nonprofit partners, we doubled our original food poundage target and directed over 711,000 pounds of food to our network of 105 community partners. It was a year of learning and growth for our team.
2020 Impact
In March 2020, Vancouver Food Runners launched its food recovery program early in response to the immediate needs presented by COVID-19. As restaurants and other food businesses were closing their doors, we were uniquely positioned to support them in placing their surplus food with our growing network of community partners working with food insecure populations. Word soon spread about our unique food recovery program. Our original goal for 2020 was to collect and distribute 14,000 pounds of surplus food, but through the generous support of food donors, nonprofit community partners and our growing team of volunteer food drivers, we were able to redirect over 235,000 pounds of surplus food to those in need in 2020.