Volunteer Nisha Irani shows off the fresh produce available to clients in the grocery area.

Vancouver Coastal Health, North Shore, has provided the funding and direction to Harvest Project to create and operate a Food Recovery Program. With the use of our newly acquired refrigerated cargo van we can collect useable produce and other perishable foods that stores would otherwise discard and distribute it to our clients.

By working closely with Vancouver Coastal Health North Shore, Harvest Project has developed a food safety program and protocols for handling, transporting and storing perishable foods. In addition, BC has a Food Donor Encouragement Act that protects those who donate food from liability.

The Harvest Project Food Recovery Program has two parts. The first objective is to provide Harvest Project clients with fresh food as part of the service they receive. The second is to transfer food to programs in the community where residents are learning hands-on skills with fresh food preparation, such as community kitchen programs.

Presenting the new refrigerated cargo van are: left to right Morley Strachan, TSI Terminal Systems Inc.; Darcy Clarkson, DP World Vancouver; Tim Chapman, Western Stevedoring; Gordon Houston, Vancouver Port Authority

DP World Vancouver, the Port of Vancouver, TSI Terminal Systems Inc. and Western Stevedoring were successful in raising enough funds at their annual fundraising Gala to purchase a refrigerated cargo van for the Harvest Project.

The van is an integral part of the Harvest Project food recovery program that is designed to increase access to nutritious food for those who need it most on the North Shore. By using the refrigerated van to recover perishable food from grocery stores and food retailers, Harvest Project will reduce the waste of fresh vegetables, fruit, dairy products and meats. These perishable products will then be used to improve the nutritional quality of the food available to individuals and families who are using our services.

Each month, Harvest Project gives away an average of $42,000 worth of groceries to clients. The addition of fresh food will increase each grocery appointment by approximately $50 and increase of $6,350 per month.

With a generous donation of supplies from RONA, Harvest Project premises have been transformed and now include a retail-clothing store called Clothes for Change.  

RONA’s supplies and the volunteer help of general contractor Joe Heilman, of JHC Craftsmen Ltd. allowed Harvest Project to move walls and added new ones, create a new section for client care meetings, expand the grocery shopping area and move the resource center closer to client care.

The new store is part of our premises but has a separate entranceway on the corner of Bewicke Ave. and 2nd Ave. Now clients have retail like premises to shop for their free outfits and Harvest has a store set up to serve the public that offers another source of revenue.  

Clothes for Change retails quality second-hand garments for adults at prices competitive with other thrift outlets. It is open Tuesday to Friday from 10:00am to 4:00pm and Saturday from 10:00am to 2:00pm. Come check out the great buys. Sales to the public are currently cash only.

Kenneth Johnson and the Kay Meek Centre offered to host Harvest Project’s silent auction in conjunction with Kenneth's second annual Harvest Project benefit concert, Black and White with a Touch of Colour.   

The concert was a great success and had a sizable turn out. It featured the music of Kenneth Johnson and included special guest artists soprano Caitlin Bradley, tenor Lane Price, and dancer/choreographer Jill Henis. The show was accompanied by the Northern Light Orchestra and also featured a special performance by songwriter/guitarist Scott Johnson. 

The silent auction was also popular thanks to the lovely space provided by the Kay Meek Centre and the excellent items donated by North Shore businesses. The concertgoers were generous as were our event sponsors and Harvest Project raised $17,000 to support our programs and services.

Many community businesses and organizations request the volunteer support of Harvest Project and in return donate a portion of the proceeds to us. During 2007 our staff and volunteers offered their time and assistance to:  

• Bank of Montreal, Edgemont Village food drive for Harvest
• City of North Vancouver, Party on the Pier BBQ
• Kiwanis and Park & Tilford Gardens’ Christmas Lights for Kids
• Lower Lonsdale Fall Festival BBQ
• Mark’s Work Wearhouse holiday gift wrap by donation
• One Merry Night Open House at Lonsdale Quay Market
• Parkgate Village M & M Charity BBQ
• Spatacular Beauty Fashion Show
• West Vancouver Baptist Vacation Bible Camp Food Drive