Food Rescue is the action of preventing good surplus food from being wasted by collecting it and redistributing it to feed people in need. Second Harvest’s Food Rescue program works with thousands of businesses across the food supply chain to rescue and redistribute unsold, surplus food to our network of over 3,700 non-profit and charitable partners across Canada.
The Food Security Action Group initiated discussions with Second Harvest in 2018 and our Fall Food Gathering 2019 featured the work of Food Rescue. In 2019, formal relationships solidified with Second Harvest and local grocery stores. In 2020, the Keeping Not-For-Profits Connected During COVID-19 was formed to connect partners working with community meal programs, food banks and school nutrition programs to share surplus food donations through the Food Rescue program. This laid the groundwork for the expanding the program across Grey Bruce. In 2023, the Grey Bruce Food Share (GBFS) opened its doors as the first rural Food Rescue hub model.
The Grey Bruce Food Share is an innovative partnership between The Salvation Army Owen Sound Community and Family Services and Owen Sound Hunger and Relief (OSHaRE). GBFS is a collaboration that benefits not only The Salvation Army and OSHaRE, but also serves as a hub specifically serving 25 other local food sharing agencies that assist those living with food insecurity in Grey and Bruce counties.
GBFS accepts food donated by local grocery and retail store partners and distribute it to local charities and non-profits at its location at 263-10th Street East in Owen Sound. GBFS is also stocked with surplus non-perishable food from grocery stores, restaurants and farms for use by local emergency food programs, food that would otherwise go to waste.
Each month, 11,000 pounds of fresh perishable food is given to GBFS through Food Rescue. Food Bruce Grey reports on this data as well as other food insecurity-related data.
