Fraser Valley Food Recovery Pilot Project

Food Waste Source: Second Harvest, Jan 2019

Solid Waste Management Plan Goal 1: Reduce waste generation Strategy 7.1.2 – Stimulate and raise the profile of material exchange programs/businesses

FVRD Pilot Project with FoodMesh 14 month pilot to build a regional food recovery network with 50 FVRD users Aim to divert 70,000 kg of surplus food to edible uses, & Exchange $400,000 in food value to local charities and food businesses

What is FoodMesh FoodMesh matches unsold food to a verified network of businesses and charities

How it Works

Benefits Helps Food Businesses Reduce spoilage Save on admin Access new buyers Track sustainability metrics Manage relations easier Feeds Communities Access new donations Improved product info Pressure free opt in/out process Track charitable donations

Perishable Recovery Program

Chilliwack Food Bank & Save On Foods Help grocer divert 100% of their product Increased net new donations by 59,000 kg in 3 months Sharing to 19 other local charities, First Nation bands and farmers Developed simple data collection tool

FoodMesh in Action

Where does the food go? 8 Charities 11 Farmers 59,000 kg diverted 100 Save On Foods stores 8 other charities come into the food bank and use the food, including Sparks, Kiwanis clubs, and someone from Sto:lo collects 4 times per week to distribute among the First Nation Bands Schools who offer breakfast clubs are also accessing the food bank Food is used by the over 100 soup kitchen attendees Other food banks are also collecting 11 farmers can access any spoilt food and left overs for animal feed Between 1-3% of the food ends up going for composting Save On Foods has rolled out the program to nearly 100 of their 170 stores in BC and plans to expand it across their Western Canada operations in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Yukon.

Data until end of January 2019 Pilot project Results Target Result FVRD Users 50 61 Weight Diverted 70,000 KG 99,173 KG Meals Created 116, 667 165,288 Meals Value $400,000 $425,780 Data until end of January 2019

Continuation 2019 - 2020 Option 1 $20k – 18 months ($10k each financial year) 250,000 kg diverted 400,000 Meals 475,000 kgco2e 100 Network users Option 2 * external funding $50k – 24 months 1.5 million kg diverted 2.5 million meals 2,850,000 kgco2e diverted 150 FVRD network users Based on the success of the pilot project FoodMesh and the FVRD have discussed the option to continue trying to expand the pilot across the FVRD. Option 1 – over a 18 month period the aim is divert 250,000 kg of food and get 100 Network users, providing user training and making enhancements to the app As part of the communication piece, the condition will be to deliver 5 public speaking events to promote the FVRD’s work and continue a PR program Option 2 – is dependent upon external funding sources but has far higher targets in aiming for 1.5 million kg diverted and 150 FVRD network users. Under the communication and marketing campaign FoodMesh would also aim for a TV appearance promoting the FVRD project and participate in the launch of the new source separation bylaw. Moreover, they could also provide a custom dashboard with access to real time metrics for the FVRD activity.

Fraser Valley Food Recovery pilot project