Access Healthy Food

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At Nelson Community Food Centre, we believe that access to healthy food is a human right.

At Nelson Community Food Centre, there are many ways to access good food. Whether you’re picking up fresh groceries at the Good Food Bank, sharing a meal at the Gathering Table, joining a cooking program, or spending time in our gardens, our programs offer welcoming spaces where everyone can enjoy nourishing food, build connections, and feel a sense of belonging.

Good food BANK

Our Good Food Bank is market-style, focused on providing fresh, nutritious food. This format allows participants to exercise autonomy by choosing which items they wish to take. We work to procure food from local farmers as much as possible in the East and West Kootenays. An example selection of Good Food Bank items includes: potatoes, carrots, zucchini, tomatoes, mixed greens, apples, oranges, bananas, farm-fresh eggs, quinoa, and rice. During the holiday season, we distribute special seasonal foods. Our Good Food Bank is barrier-free, offering support without requiring proof of need; just bring your own grocery bags.

We also serve a light lunch where participants can have a meal and socialize with other community members in a safe, inclusive environment.
Everyone is welcome.

When:

First and Third Wednesdays of the month, 1-4 pm. Check our calendar for the next date.

If these times don’t work for you, please call us at 778-463-5028 to schedule an appointment. Our office hours are Monday – Thursday, 9:00 am-4:00 pm.

We are closed on statutory holidays.

Location:

602 Silica Street
Nelson, BC, V1L 4N1
We’re in the Lower Hall of the Nelson United Church.

Good food drop PROGRAM

Our Good Food Drop program extends the Good Food Bank’s reach to people with medical or physical barriers. It runs every other Tuesday year-round, delivering nutrition boxes to those who cannot visit the Good Food Bank. Volunteers pack boxes to match each person’s dietary needs as best we can, then deliver them. Our service area spans Nelson, the Northshore, to Granite Pointe. External agencies (for example, Interior Health, Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, or community support workers) can apply on someone’s behalf. To access the application: CLICK HERE

No-Cook PROGRAM

The ‘𝗡𝗼-𝗖𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺’ was developed through the efforts of the Nelson Committee on Homelessness (NCOH) – a committee established by the Nelson CARES Society to unite organizations in addressing homelessness in the community.

The program was initiated in 2021 to address food security for marginalized individuals who are precariously housed and have limited access to a kitchen or cooking supplies. It has been instrumental in expanding access to low-barrier, ready-to-eat options through partnerships with NCOH, Nelson Community Services – Street Outreach program, ANKORS, and the Temporary Drop-In Centre.

NCFC’s role within the program is to oversee food production, and our goal is to provide simple, nutritious foods that require little to no cooking, such as sandwiches, granola bars, protein drinks, fresh fruit, and soups.

Each week, the Nelson Street Outreach team picks up: a HUB Soup box, 40 No Cook Bags, 40 Hume soups, and 150 sandwiches, which are distributed between ANKORS, the Temporary Drop-In Centre, and the Street Outreach program