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Apple Orchard

A BIT ABOUT US

The Food Share Network was formed in 2013 in consultation with more than 40 community groups who recognized a need to collaborate on innovative approaches to increase food security in the Capital Region. Today, the network has grown to over 65 community agencies.

The Food Share Network is an innovative umbrella that enhances food security in the Capital Region through collaboration and cooperation among food banks, community centers, Indigenous organizations, schools, donors, and other community organizations. Participating organizations share the common values of empowerment, dignity and respect, food and community, stewardship, and collective impact. There is a broad consensus on shifting the focus toward food security and self-reliance as a means to create a healthier and more resilient population.

ANNUAL HIGHLIGHT REELS

MEET OUR MEMBERS

Orange Juice

AFRICAN ART & CULTURE COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTOR SOCIETY

Provides services to improve the wellbeing of African Descent Communities living in the Capital region and across Vancouver Island.

Image by Dan-Cristian Pădureț

ANAWIM HOUSE

The Anawim Companion Society believes that poverty and its effects can only be alleviated by healing the whole person. They are dedicated to overcoming poverty by becoming compassionate companions with the poor while providing for their needs. They offer friendship for friendship. Their commitment to fulfill this mission will reduce the powerlessness, suffering and alienation of poverty.

Chef Salad

BC FRANCOPHONE IMMIGRANT SERVICES

The BC Francophone Immigration Program works towards attracting and facilitating the settlement and integration of Francophone immigrants, so they actively contribute to the vitality and dynamism of the Francophone community, the province of BC and Canada.

Fresh Salmon

BC HOUSING

BC Housing works in partnership with the private and non-profit sectors, provincial health authorities and ministries, other levels of government, and community groups to develop a range of housing options.

Image by Anna Pelzer

BELMONT SECONDARY

A SD62 school that strives to be a community where people feel inspired, acknowledged and supported.
Through rich and diverse programs, within an environment of mutual respect, and in cooperation with the community, they foster the attitudes, skills and knowledge which encourage individuals to risk the untried, and to be independent, life-long learners and productive citizens.

Green Beans

BURNSIDE GORGE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

The Burnside Gorge Community Association strives to lead, promote and support initiatives which encourage healthy, inclusive, and socially just living.

Chicken Dish

COASTLINE CHURCH

Providing food for those in need through Community Mini Markets and hampers. Coastline sponsors three weekly free food Mini Markets from Victoria out to the Saanich Peninsula and provides food hampers for those with significant food insecurity.

Asparagus

COMMUNITY FOOD SUPPORT

A volunteer-run mutual aid initiative that distributes free food hampers to individuals and families in the Greater Victoria area every week

Wild Strawberries

COMMUNITY FRIDGE VICTORIA

A community fridge based in Rock Bay operating under the principal “take what you need, leave what you can,” establishing a low barrier way for people to access free food.

Onion

CONNECTIONS PLACE

A clubhouse that will provide people whose lives have been disrupted by mental illness the opportunity to recover meaningful and productive lives through integration within society.

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CAMOSUN COLLEGE STUDENT SOCIETY

The Camosun College Student Society (CCSS) was founded in 1990 by students to provide services to all students at Camosun College. The CCSS is an incorporated society and is independent from Camosun College. CCSS members are students of diverse backgrounds and all different ages, from 17-80+ that utilize their services.

Learn More
Image by Alina Karpenko

COOK STREET VILLAGE ACTIVITY CENTRE

The Cook Street Village Activity Centre is a non-profit organization offering social, educational, and recreational activities for individuals 50+ years.

Oatmeal with Berries

CRAIGFLOWER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Craigflower Elementary is a school rich in history and culture, and actively works to meet the food and nutrition needs of their students.

Salad

THE CRIDGE CENTRE FOR THE FAMILY

The Cridge Centre for the Family is a safe place for women with or without children who are escaping violence or abuse in their homes. They serve women with children, as well as single women from ages 20s-70s.

Cabbage

EDWARD MILNE COMMUNITY SCHOOL

EMCS is one of three high schools in School District 62 (Sooke) located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island.  EMCS is serving approximately 700 youth in the SD62 region.

Learn More
Fresh Bread

ESQUIMALT CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE

The Esquimalt Church of the Nazarene is heartily involved in their community, cultivating a relationship with the Township of Esquimalt to achieve their common goals in providing for the people of Esquimalt.

Pumpkin

ESQUIMALT HIGH SCHOOL

Esquimalt High School serves approximately 700 students in grades 9 to 12.  While most students are local almost 100 students enroll at Esquimalt from many countries around the world.

Image by Paulina H.

ESQUIMALT NATION

The Esquimalt Nation is a small nation on the water of Esquimalt Harbour. Their traditional name is Xwsepsum, also written Kosapsum. Their connection with the land and the resources of the territory goes back thousands of years.

Image by Priscilla Du Preez

ESQUIMALT NEIGHBOURHOOD HOUSE

Esquimalt Neighbourhood House Society is a local charity that focuses its services on a vast population of seniors, families with children, and youth of all ages and adults.

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FAIRFIELD GONZALES COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

This community organization supports any kind of household, families, individuals, seniors, people living with disabilities, and anyone who identified as food insecure. Through their various programs, they help tackle the issue of food insecurity in their community

Cheese

FATEH CARE

A Canada based ‘Care Start-up’ providing support currently in Victoria, BC area focusing on elderly, home quarantined CoViD-19 patients, specially-abled and people who are looking for a helping hand and they don’t know where to go.

Image by Andra Ion

FERNWOOD NEIGHBOURHOOD RESOURCE GROUP

Fernwood NRG is dedicated to improving the quality of life in Fernwood. Aside from food literacy and food security, they offer multiple services/programs that help guide the community towards success. They provide local events, childcare, and even affordable housing and employment opportunities.

Image by Gaby Yerden

GALIANO COMMUNITY FOOD PROGRAM

The Galiano Community Food Program strives to ensure that Galiano Island is a thriving, livable, food-secure community, where every resident feels included, welcome and empowered to build a deeper connect with their food system. Their programs seek to set an example that reaches beyond their local community and spread across the country.

Learn More
Cheese and Grapes

GOLDSTREAM FOOD BANK

The Community Food Bank of the Western Communities has been in operation since 1983. Their services support anyone in the Western Communities that need assistance.

Preparing a Challah

HOUSE OF SHILOH

A local church whose mission is to show love through the power of the gospel, that starts in the community and invades the city and beyond.

Image by Melissa Di Rocco

JAMES BAY COMMUNITY PROJECT

A non-profit social services agency that provides a variety of programs and services to people of all ages to support their resilience through connections to their community and access to needed resources.

Image by Leti Kugler

JAMES BAY NEW HORIZONS

Providing accessible programs, services and volunteer opportunities to their members and to local residents in general. It is their goal to help people maintain, improve and develop new skills, interests and social opportunities, and to enhance the quality of life of members and visitors.

Image by Katherine Chase

LIFECYCLES

Their mission is to build a resilient food system in Greater Victoria by growing, harvesting, and sharing food. Year after year, we strive to make a difference by caring for the land, empowering our community, and building momentum within the local food movement to continue to connect people with healthy food

Steak

LIVING EDGE

Living Edge demonstrates compassion for the needs of food insecure families in Greater Victoria by distributing groceries through local free markets on a weekly basis.

Harvest

MAYNE ISLAND FOOD BANK

The Mayne Island Food Bank was formed to assist the island's growing population. Their services help meet the nutritional needs of up to 25 clients and even more now with the ongoing Covid-19 crisis.

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THE MUSTARD SEED STREET CHURCH & FOOD BANK

The Mustard Seed is a non-profit fighting hunger and restoring faith to hurting souls in Greater Victoria.

Organic Carrots

NORTH PARK NEIGHBOURHOOD ASSOCIATION

Playing an active role in improving the quality of life of the downtown neighbourhood through their various programs.

Fresh Beetroots

OAKLANDS COMMUNITY CENTRE

The Oakland Community Association provides a welcoming, engaging and sustainable community where all members can live, learn and thrive. Their programs support everyone in the community who needs assistances.

Image by Gaelle Marcel

1UP VICTORIA SINGLE PARENT RESOURCE CENTRE

A registered charitable organization that is committed to serving the varied and changing needs of single-parent families in the Greater Victoria region.

Aubergine

OUR ECOVILLAGE

OUR ECOVILLAGE is a 25-acre living forest and permaculture farm hosting a thriving experience-based learning community that builds sustainable relationships with earth and others. Their vision is sustainable well-being for the land, themselves, and our worldwide village.

Spring Onions

OUR PLACE SOCIETY

Our Place is an inner-city community center serving Greater Victoria’s most vulnerable. They provide shelter and meals every day while also free clothing, counseling, outreach services, over 60 educational programs, and more.

Image by Anna Voss

QUADRA VILLAGE COMMUNITY CENTRE

The Quadra Village Community Centre is a safe gathering place and neighbourhood association in the vibrant and diverse neighbourhood of Hillside -Quadra.

Image by Louis Hansel

RAINBOW KITCHEN

Rainbow Kitchen provides a multitude of programs, activities, and support services as well as food services each weekday. They provide a safe place for anyone to come access fresh and healthy foods.

Image by Irene Kredenets

RED CEDAR CAFE

The Red Cedar Cafe is a not-for-profit community meal program, fueled by volunteers and mutual aid to provide healthy, tasty, affordable meals to seniors, people in self-isolation and other people in need in Lekwungen and W̱SÁNEĆ territory.

Blueberries

ROYAL BAY SECONDARY SCHOOL

Royal Bay Secondary School is one of SD62's high schools working to increase student access to healthful food and food education opportunities.

Learn More
Image by Fedor

SAANICH NEIGHBOURHOOD PLACE

Saanich Neighbourhood Place is a non-profit organization that delivers a wide range of programming aimed at helping families access resources and supports they feel they need.

Image by Anna Onishchuk

SANCTUARY YOUTH CENTER

Sanctuary Youth Center offers services for at risk youth from age 12-22 both non-Indigenous and Indigenous populations.

Organic Tumeric

SCHOOL DISTRICT 62

SD62 has approximately 12,000 students and serves the communities of Sooke, Port Renfrew, Metchosin, Highlands, Langford and Colwood.

Image by Aliona Gumeniuk

SHELBOURNE COMMUNITY KITCHEN

Shelbourne Community Kitchen creates opportunities for peopling living on a low income to cook, grow, share and connect for improved health and wellbeing.

Green Vegetables

SIDNEY BY THE SEA ROTARY CLUB

This network of friends, neighbours, and community leaders seek to unit people and take action to create lasting change – across the globe and across the community.

Image by The-Lore.com

SILVER THREADS SERVICE FOR SENIORS

Silver Threads Service has been operating in the community since 1956. They service seniors 55+ who are living independently in rental or subsidized housing. Their services, programs, and community partnerships have evolved to meet the changing needs of an ever-growing population of older seniors.

Caramelized Pecans

SONGHEES FIRST NATION

The lək̓ʷəŋən People, known today as the Esquimalt and Songhees Nations. As you travel through the city, you will find seven carvings that mark places of cultural significance. To seek out these markers is to learn about the land, its original culture, and the spirit of its people.

Image by Louis Hansel

SOOKE FAMILY RESOURCE SOCIETY

Since 1984, the Sooke Family Resource Society has been working alongside the communities of Southern Vancouver Island to enhance the strength, connection, and resiliency of individuals, children, families, and youth.

Raw Pasta

ST. JOHN THE DIVINE FOOD BANK

The Food Bank at St. John the Divine offers food hampers, custom built to client needs, twice a week.

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ST. VINCENT DE PAUL - VANCOUVER ISLAND

St. Vincent De Paul provides services to all populations in need of support, with the goal of promoting independence.

Image by Sorin Gheorghita

THRESHOLD HOUSING SOCIETY

Threshold Housing Society works with at-risk youth; offering safe housing, community, and support to help youth make healthy choices while moving towards a bright and independent future.

Tomato Soup

TSAWOUT FIRST NATION

Tsawout First Nations vision is the empowerment of their people, spiritually, intellectually, physically, and emotionally, by providing through mutual understanding a safe, open, and fair environment for their community. Appreciating their youth and valuing our elders through traditional teachings and cultural practices. Along this journey, they treat each other with respect, empathy, strength, pride, and equality.

Olive Branch and Olive Oil

VIHA PUBLIC HEALTH - DIETICIANS

VIHA believes that Food and diet are a key part of ongoing health and offer many services that focus on healthy nutrition.

Image by Mae Mu

VICTORIA COOL AID SOCIETY

Victoria Cool Aid Society aims to end homelessness by working in partnership with others to develop community-based solutions.

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VICTORIA IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE CENTRE

VIRCS was formed in 1986 by three former refugees. This centre helps immigrants, refugees, new Canadian citizens, and visible minorities settle and adapt to their new lives in Greater Victoria.

Image by Sara Dubler

VICTORIA NATIVE FRIENDSHIP CENTRE

The VNFC's mandate is to encourage and promote the well-being of Urban Aboriginal People, by strengthening individuals, family, and community.

Papaya

VICTORIA WOMEN'S TRANSITIONAL HOUSING

Victoria Women’s Transition House Society collaborates, advocates, and educates to address and prevent intimate partner violence of women and children through supportive shelter, housing, counselling and other community-based services.

Image by Daniel Agudelo

Y YOUNG MOM'S PROGRAM

The Y Young Moms Program, operated by the YMCA-YWCA of Vancouver Island in partnership with the Kiwanis Club of Victoria, is a second stage supportive housing program. YMP offers safe, affordable housing for young mothers (aged 16-29) and their child under the age of five years, in 10 self-contained units.

MEET OUR BOARD

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TRESKA WATSON

Chair, Board of Directors

Treska is the Director of Food Security for The Mustard Seed. Treska over sees both the Food Security Distribution Centre and The Food Bank operations on Queens Avenue. Her role is to develop and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders, donors, and the many non profit agencies the centre serves through the Food Share Network. She is actively involved in managing operations of the Food Rescue Programming for the Greater Victoria Region. Treska started at the Seed in a Community Engagement role with a focus on building out The Mustard Seed Coffee Company. The Coffee Company, a growing social enterprise, is now also a part of the centre with all profits going towards the Food Rescue Project.

OUR MISSION, VISION, VALUES, AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES

The mission of the Food Share Network is to enhance food security in the Capital Region through collaboration and cooperation among an innovative umbrella of organizations, including food banks, community centers, donors, and other participating organizations.

 

The vision of the Food Share Network is that all residents of the Capital Region enjoy food security.      
 
The values of the Food Share Network are:
    

  • Empowerment - self-sufficiency, mutual aid, choice, circles of support

  • Dignity and Respect - meeting people where they are at, access to local food, quality

  • Food and Community - connections & relationships, learning, culture, opportunities to contribute, sharing

  • Stewardship - accountability, transparency, best use of resources

  • Collective Impact - collaboration, efficiency, coordinated services, cooperation

   

The guiding principles of the Food Share Network are:

  • Enhanced partnership, collaboration, and cooperation among food-serving organizations

  • Improved efficiency and safety for people accessing non-profit food services, along with strengthened community links and access to resources that support self-sufficiency

  • Increased involvement of people served in creating food security and food literacy

  • Improved quality and suitability of food services, with increased provision of fresh, local, organic, and culturally appropriate food

  • Improved coordination of food distribution, with greater efficiency for donors and service providers

  • Improved environmental performance of non-profit food operations

  • Respect for existing donor and recipient relationships

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