
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 Greater Victoria. Today the network had 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
A glimpse into what a community in action can accomplish in just one year!

2021
Despite great trials that 2021 brought, our network came together to care for our community. We lifted one another up, and thrived through it.
MEET OUR TEAM

Executive Director
KARA UDELL
With us since the spring of 2021, Kara maintains a leadership philosophy that is rooted in community; engaging passion, cultivating purpose, and empowerment. She brings her years of experience in the non-profit world to the forefront, as she shepherds our network towards growth and success.
MEET OUR MEMBERS

ABBEYFIELD HOUSE
Abbeyfield House is a 12-resident independent living home for low-income seniors. They provide lunch and dinners for the residents and have a garden to help supplement sustainable food resources.

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.

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.

BACKPACK BUDDIES
Backpack Buddies tackles the weekend hunger gap head on by providing meals for kids throughout the lower mainland and Vancouver Island.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

CRFAIR
CRFAIR was created to bring together diverse organizations that are involved in the food system in different ways to promote food security in the Capital Region. The beginning of CRFAIR was focused on learning and networking and understanding to make food systems and food security issues a public priority. Now they organization has transformed with several projects addressing key issues in the Capital Region

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

EXTREME OUTREACH
Extreme Outreach Society exists to break the cycle of poverty, homelessness and addiction at an early age. They provide programs for any and all underprivileged or at-risk families, kids and youth.

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

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.

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.

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.

GLAD TIDINGS CHURCH
Provides food for those in need through Community Mini Markets and hampers. GT sponsors three weekly free food Mini Markets from Victoria out to the Saanich Peninsula and provides food hampers for those with significant food insecurity.
GT Church is concerned for the well-being of those in our community and believes we have a responsibility to help those who struggle with life needs, whether they are physical, emotional or spiritual. Through our free food Community Mini Markets, we are able to make a difference in the lives of those who struggle to put food on their tables each week. With the help of committed volunteers, we have been able to not only give out food, but also develop relationships and share God’s love with the families that come out to the Mini Markets.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

PEERS
This multi-service agency was established by, with, and for sex workers in 1995. Their services provide an array of outreach and drop-in harm reduction and support services alongside education and employment training for current and former sex workers.

PHS COMMUNITY SERVICES SOCIETY
PHS Community Services Society provides housing, healthcare, harm reduction and health promotion for some of the most vulnerable and under-served people in Vancouver’s Downtown East side and Victoria.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

SCHOOL DISTRICT 62
SD62 has approximately 12,000 students and serves the communities of Sooke, Port Renfrew, Metchosin, Highlands, Langford and Colwood.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

VANCOUVER ISLAND HEALTH AUTHORITY - DIETICIANS
VIHA believes that Food and diet are a key part of ongoing health and offer many services that focus on healthy nutrition.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.
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.
Respectful of existing donor and recipient relationships.