VFR 2023 Program Update
We’re a few days away from volunteers delivering 1 million pounds of food to nonprofits across Metro Vancouver in 2023. This is a substantial milestone, and VFR has experienced 44% program growth this year — for our team, it’s been a whirlwind of learning, development, expansion, and listening to all our partners.
VFR volunteers, food business partners, and nonprofit recipients continue to inspire us every day with their dedication to reducing food waste and providing nourishing food and meals for so many. In 2023, on average, over 100,000 pounds of food is being delivered each month, and this is having a significant impact on nonprofit food programming in Metro Vancouver.
Rescue-by-rescue everyone involved in VFR’s program is changing how we look out for one another in this city, how we value food in our community, and how we are strengthening our commitment to advancing a local circular food economy.
Here are some data to keep you in the loop with VFR’s progress. We set big goals for 2023, and we are excited to report that we are, together, on track to reach them.
Look what YOU have accomplished so far in 2023!
🎉 5513 food rescues (6891 volunteer hours)
🍊 991,781 pounds of food delivered to Metro Vancouver nonprofits
🍽️ 826,484 equivalent meals provided to the community
🌎 2,023,000 pounds of CO2eq mitigated from the environment
😃 2808 volunteers registered on the VFR app (277 active volunteer drivers)
In addition, 92% of the food volunteers deliver is fresh, and here is a breakdown of the type of food being delivered in 2023:
🍌 48% produce
🫕 15% prepared meals/foods
🥯 19% baked goods
🍗 10% meat, protein, and dairy
🥫 8% non-perishable items
Through our network of nonprofit partners, we’re hearing loud and clear that the demand for food remains elevated: food program waitlists continue to expand, and housing affordability and inflation make it challenging for individuals and families to meet their basic needs. Food insecurity remains front and centre as a critical issue.
In this landscape of uncertainty, VFR continues to provide much-needed food donations for meal programs, food boxes, and direct food provision. Thus far in 2023, 129 nonprofit partners have received donations through VFR’s program.
In addition, more than 70% of the nonprofits that receive food deliveries provide additional supportive services, including housing, counselling, health services, educational and skill-building opportunities, employment services, childcare, and cultural programming. At VFR, we recognize that food donations cannot solve food insecurity, and we aim to strategically partner with organizations engaged in deeper systems change work that leads to transformational outcomes for community members.
And VFR’s support goes beyond food donations: when partnering with VFR, we are often able to support with food collection and delivery that was previously done by nonprofit partner staff. Instead of driving and coordinating food deliveries, nonprofit staff can now spend more time on on-site food programming, preparing meals and food boxes, and, most importantly, interacting directly with clients.
In our 2023 Nonprofit Partner Feedback Survey conducted in partnership with UBC:
🌟 28 organizations shared that VFR’s services saved them an average of 15 hours per week in driving time (median: 9 hours).
🌟 24 organizations shared that VFR’s services saved them an average of 13 hours per week in coordination time (managing relationships with food businesses and deliveries) (median: 7 hours)
2023 FEEDBACK: DIRECTIONS YOUTH SERVICES
Directions Youth Services is a drop-in resource centre operating 24/7/365
that offers low-barrier programs and services to support youth under the age of 25 who are in crisis or experiencing homelessness as a result of abuse, neglect, substance use, or mental health challenges. We welcome and serve all youth. VFR has supported Directions Youth Services since March 2020. Every week, we receive nourishing meals, baked goods, and other food items to serve to our clients.
VFR's volunteers have delivered 23,042 pounds of food to Directions in 2023; this represents 175 food deliveries and an in-kind food donation of $73,968.
VFR’s support has enabled Directions to strengthen our ability to serve youth in need, increasing overall food security for those who access the Directions Drop-In Centre and Food Program.
Directions Food Services operates with limited funding that couldn't be sustained without the partnership of our community partners, such as VFR.
We would like to express our gratitude and appreciation to VFR for supporting and helping us create brighter tomorrows for our community of supported youth through food.
2023 FEEDBACK: DTES FOOD HUB
The Heart Tattoo Society, in partnership with the DTES Distribution and Emergency Supply Hub, has been a lifeline in the DTES for three years.
Through navigating COVID, we were able to start up our food programs, which includes the free grocery store. Through this store model, we are able to offer the dignity in choice when it comes to people being able to come in and choose the products they want; compared to a premade bag of things they may not be able to use.
VFR donations also go towards our BBQ program and meal services throughout the DTES (up to 3500-4000 meals per week). This free store, plus the meals, would not be possible without the amazing food delivery program offered by VFR. The time and money this service saves us is irreplaceable. Through the year, VFR volunteers have dropped off 44,528 pounds of assorted food products (a whopping $142,934 worth of product cost!).
This year, VFR has worked in partnership with 154 food businesses, ranging from large wholesalers to small cafes to event arenas to university campuses. Our goal is to provide all food businesses in Metro Vancouver with a free, convenient, accessible, and timely food collection service.
Right now, our global food systems are having a profound impact on human and planetary health. They are responsible for 70% of the water extracted from nature and account for up to one-third of human-linked greenhouse gas emissions — and VFR directly addresses this urgent challenge.
VFR’s program model opens up food recovery to all Metro Vancouver businesses, which helps to normalize the donation of surplus food within the food industry and advance sustainable practices (especially for businesses where cost might be a barrier to food recovery participation). In addition, we are deepening our work with the City of Vancouver and Metro Vancouver — working in partnership to realize a future where food waste is prevented to reduce the environmental impact of wasted food.
VFR is currently conducting a survey with food business partners, and when asked what is working for them, over 94% of businesses indicated the following aspects of VFR’s program are working “very well” or “extremely well” for them:
📋 The effectiveness in coordination with VFR staff
⏱️ Pick ups by VFR volunteers are consistent and reliable
🍎 Food donation pick ups have helped us to manage our surplus food
😃 VFR volunteers are positive and friendly to interact with
📦 Food donation pick ups happen in a timely manner (within 24 hours)
👍 VFR staff is readily available to address any issues that come up
2023 Feedback from Food Business Partners
“The best part is the ease of service, The entire VFR team is so supportive and collaborative, always ready to assist in any situation.” — JW Marriott Parq Vancouver
“Love the use of tech to enable, facilitate, and communicate with everyone involved. Our company (and staff) are learning more about the community around us, and the needs they have in our current economic environment.” — Orionis Trading Company
“It provides an opportunity for members of the community to connect through the channel of food. The program's operations are also so streamlined, that it makes it easy to partner with and collaborate.” — Farmers on 57th
“The overall service. Typically there can be high food wastage in this industry. Having the option of this service helps with food waste, knowing it’s getting to where it’s needed most.” — Truffles Fine Foods Catering
“Knowing the food is going to those in need, bridging the gap between us and those who are food insecure, and the ease of collections with volunteers.” — Purebread Bakery
“It’s easy, simple, and makes a big difference!” — Terra Breads
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