A new food share program is, in part, helping local agencies to have enough food to give away to families in need.
Literacy outreach coordinator and Burns Lake resident, Jennifer Petersen became inspired to start the new food share program in Burns Lake after speaking with a lady from Terrace who runs a similar program there.
It was after meeting with this women that Petersen began to collaborate with different agencies in Burns Lake to get the ball rolling.
Petersen partnered with Overwaitea Foods to take food that is near its expiration date, or doesn't look good enough to sell in the store, and donate it to agencies, such as the food bank, so that they can then in turn distribute it to those people that need it.
Petersen explains that before this food share program, Overwaitea would just throw this food out because they could no longer sell it in the store.
She adds that the program in Terrace recovers and distributes up to 8000 lbs. of food monthly.
Petersen says that most companies are hesitant to donate nearly expired food for fear of being held liable if someone becomes sick as a result of eating it.
However, there are laws in place that prevent companies from being held responsible in these situations.
The Food Donor Encouragement Act relieves a person, or persons, who donates food or distributes donated food, from being held liable for damages in the event of injury or death caused by consumption.
Petersen says that a number of agencies have jumped on board.
"We have the Elizabeth Fry Society, the food bank, the Lakes District Community Services Society, the Health and Wellness Centre, the B.C. Schizophrenia Society and the Words on Wheels bus, which goes to the Southside on Mondays and works with the Southside Economic Development Association, to name a few," Petersen said.
The way the food sharing program works is that every day a certain agency will go to Overwaitea and pick up the food and then distribute it within their agency to people that need it.
For example, RCMP officers pick up food and deliver it to the food bank on distribution days.
The Burns Lake food share program began only two weeks ago on April 15, so Petersen doesn't have any numbers yet on how much food they distribute through the program, but says she has a great group of people around her that are excited moving forward.
"It's really wonderful because we are picking up pounds and pounds of food every single day, which was originally being thrown away," Petersen said, "I have a great group of people around the table that are excited to see the project going forward because we all know people that need extra help."
Joanna Carnie, volunteer coordinator for the Lakes District Food Bank says that Overwaitea has donated expiring food items before, but through this program they are now adding produce, and adds that every bit helps.
"Although the food bank receives generous donations from the community, every little bit helps," Carnie said.
Paul Eckersley, store manager of Overwaitea Foods in Burns Lake says this is a perfect opportunity to not waste food.
"This was a simple call. Why throw out good food, when we can donate it," Eckersley said.
Petersen says budgets can be tight, and this is a way for these agencies to distribute even more food.
"Budgets are tight, for them to be purchasing food is tough," Petersen said, "to be able to give food away is fantastic."