How we Help

Programs

How we Help

Programs

Our Nutrition Improvement Program was established in 2018 to provide all clients with access to nutritious food and resources that promote healthy eating habits. With specialized foods for each age and stage of life, the Central Okanagan Food Bank's Nutrition Improvement Program contributes to more positive outlooks and helps individuals stay balanced.

The Tiny Bundles program has been designed specifically for pregnant moms and families with children under the age of one. In addition to a monthly hamper, our Tiny Bundles clients receive weekly supplements including milk, eggs, meat and produce, as well as diapers, baby food, and formula.

Click Here For More Information on our Tiny Bundles Program.

Picture a morning where every child eagerly embraces the day, fueled by the warmth of a nutritious breakfast. With your support, Food for Thought is turning this vision into reality!

Each week, we provide 5,000 nutritious breakfasts and 350 take-home packages to students in need throughout School District 23.

Click Here For More Information on Food for Thought.

Children between 1 and 15 years of age receive a Snack Pack – a bag with 5 days’ worth of after-school snacks. These packs include low-sugar granola bars, fruit, fruit juice, yogurt, cheese strings, and more. We avoid high-sugar items in these snack packs to support the health of our community’s children.

Click Here For More Information on our Snack Pack Program.

Our Vitality Program ensures that essential nutrients are provided to the most vulnerable households: families with children and youth living in the home, as well as households with seniors. All Vitality hampers are augmented by an assortment of dairy, eggs, meat, fresh fruits and vegetables to ensure those in need can access essential nutrients and enjoy a balanced diet.

The Central Okanagan Food Bank recognizes that not all residents have the same dietary needs, and that a portion of our community has medically diagnosed health problems that may require specialty diets. Clients with diagnosed dietary needs receive specialized foods, such as gluten free, low-sugar, or low-sodium options, etc.

The Central Okanagan Food Bank distributes Market Coupons on behalf of the BC Association of Farmers’ Markets. These coupons can be spent at our local Farmers’ Market to purchase fresh fruits, vegetables, cheese, eggs, meat, and more. Each household enrolled in the program is eligible to receive over $20 in coupons each week.

We are currently accepting applications for the 2024 Season. Please Apply Here.

Our School Breakfast program, in partnership with the Breakfast Club of Canada, ensures that all students have reliable access to nutritious food in a safe and supportive environment. Participating schools provide breakfast for their students every school day, in order to positively impact health and learning.

During the 2023 school year, we helped to provide over 60,000 breakfasts to local students in School District #23.

Operating 364 days/year, our Perishable Food Rescue program partners with 18 local retail grocery partners, as well as local farmers to recover all perishable food regardless of viability. This program addresses the environmental, social, and economic issues of food waste, by taking surplus perishable food and finding the best and most appropriate use for that food.

Click Here for More Information on our Perishable Food Rescue Program.