Local communities in Fraser Health have services available to provide either low-cost or free food to their residents.
COVID-19: Free and low-cost food directory
Access to food can be difficult at this time. We have provided lists of food, meal, and lower cost grocery options being offered during this COVID-19 period. These lists are a collection of many local organizations whose programs can change frequently. We recommend you call before visiting to ensure times and services have not changed.
For organizations providing free and low-cost food, thank you for your service to the community at this time. Funding opportunities are available to you and a list is provided below.
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General food access services
BC 211 Safe Seniors is connecting seniors with volunteers willing to check in on them or help pick-up groceries/prescriptions. There is an online form to fill out to become connected with a volunteer. You can also sign up to receive assistance by calling 2-1-1.
Food Banks – some food banks are continuing to operate while others have closed at this time. Many have changed their hours of service and are offering alternative ways of providing food. Please check with your local food bank for more details. Follow this link to find a food bank near you.
Grocery and Meal Delivery – Check with your local grocery stores and restaurants to see if they are offering delivery at this time. Some stores are offering special hours for seniors.
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Emergency food groups - funding opportunities
Reaching Home’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan – available to organizations supporting the homeless-serving sector. Submissions will be accepted and reviewed on an ongoing basis until April 29 or until all funds have been allocated. Please visit here for more information (pdf file).
Breakfast Club of Canada – available to schools and established organizations supporting families and communities facing food insecurity.
Food Rescue with support from the Government of Canada – available to local community organizations to ensure food makes its way to those who need it most.
Food Banks – emergency funding from the Provincial Government available to all registered charities who distribute groceries.
Vancouver Foundation Community Response Fund – available to community-based organizations serving low-income and vulnerable populations.
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Ongoing food and low cost food directory
The lists below will provide you with:
- Location
- Contact information
- Program details
- Cost (if any)
- Days and times offered
Please note: This list is a collection of many local organizations whose programs can change frequently. We recommend you call before attending any of the programs to ensure the times have not changed. We update this list yearly.
Municipality-specific food access services
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Abbotsford
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Agassiz-Harrison
Agassiz-Harrison Food Bank, 7086 Cheam Ave., Agassiz, Tel: 604-796-2585
- They are operating by appointment only. These can be made up to one week in advance. Additional hours/days will be added to accommodate client demand.
- Delivery will be available to seniors, as well as those that are immunocompromised or are currently ill and have no other option to receive their food hamper.
- This service will be based on individual need and availability of drivers, it is not first come, first serve.
The Olive Branch, 7571 Morrow Road, Agassiz, Tel: 604-796-9772
- The Olive Branch is a community-based program providing nutritious meals free of charge for those needing a dinner.
- The Olive Brach has switched to providing take out meals on Tuesdays.
Family Parenting Place, 7272 Morrow Road, Agassiz, Tel: 604-796-0313
- Offering “It Takes a Village - Monday Night Dinners” for caregivers with children 0-6 years of age. Take out style.
- Staff are available over the phone for additional support.
Drive4U program, Tel: 604-796-2585 or 604-798-6228
- Offering support transportation for medical appointments, shopping trips, grocery pick-up etc.
Other services can be found here, however not all of them may be operating or following usual hours at this time. Please call ahead before accessing their services.
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Burnaby
The Burnaby Public Library has compiled a list of current emergency food programs.
The City of Burnaby also maintains a food asset directory (PDF file). This has not been recently updated so please call before accessing services.
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Chilliwack
Click here for a summary of social services available in Chilliwack during COVID-19. (PDF file)
Meals on Wheels, Chilliwack Community Services, 45938 Wellington Ave., Chilliwack, Tel: 604-793-7242
- Home delivery of meals to individuals who, because of age, illness or disability, cannot prepare adequate meals for themselves
- Hot Meals on Monday/Tuesday/Thursday. Frozen meals are available for delivery on Monday.
- Delivered from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Please call them directly to place your order.
Feed the Kids Initiative, Tel: 604-750-0508
- Providing weekly food hampers for school-aged children across schools in Chilliwack
- Offered in partnership through several community organizations
Support to Seniors, Chilliwack Community Services, Tel: 778-860-5499
- Partnering seniors and vulnerable people with volunteers to grocery shop and deliver meals
- Please see the flyer here (PDF file)
Cyrus Centre, 45845 Wellington Avenue, Chilliwack, Tel: 604-795-5773
- Offering lunch and dinner daily on a ‘to go’ basis (Lunch daily from 12 p.m. - 1 p.m. and dinner daily from 6 p.m. - 7 p.m.)
- Food hampers distributed at the door or delivered to youth’s residence; delivery can be set up by calling the centres
Salvation Army, 45746 Yale Rd., Chilliwack, Tel: 604-792-0001
- Lunch take out: Monday-Friday from 12-1 p.m.
- Food hampers available by appointment. Please call the number above
Ruth and Naomi's Mission, 46130 Margaret Ave., Chilliwack, Tel: 604-795-2322
- Dinner take out: 7 days a week, 6-7 p.m.
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Delta
Please see an updated list of food resources on the City of Delta COVID-19 page by scrolling down to the “Social Services” section.
The Deltassist is the primary contact for those in need of food services in Delta.
- They can be reached at 604-594-3455 or email: inquiry@deltassist.com.
- They are also taking on relief volunteers to help with food delivery programs during this time.
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Hope and Boston Bar
Click here for an updated list of free and low-cost food and meal/grocery delivery services in Hope and Boston Bar (PDF file).
Additional services being offered:
Buy Low Grocery Delivery, available in Hope
- Offered Monday to Saturday. Delivery is $5 within town, $7.50 to Kawkawa Lake or Silver Creek area. No delivery outside of town boundaries.
- Order at hope_orders@buy-low.com
“Hi Neighbour” Volunteer Assistance, available in Hope
- Contact Marion at volunteer@readrightsociety.com for assistance with grocery shopping if needed
Grocery and Meal Delivery, available for seniors over 55 years of age, and immunocompromised individuals or those with disabilities living in Boston Bar and North Bend
- Order on Sunday by 2 p.m. for delivery on Tuesday (maximum $150 order)
- Phone or text Gail at 604-798-2395 or email xamugwump@msn.com with the order.
- Buy Low will phone recipients to arrange for payment by VISA or Mastercard. If using cash, must be exact as no change will be given.
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Langley and Aldergrove
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Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows
List of food and pharmacy resources for Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows during COVID-19.
- The resource provides information on grocery and prescription delivery, grocery stores offering special hours, food hampers and supplies, and meal delivery.
Schedule of meal and grocery delivery services, meal programs, and food bank services.
Restaurants offering takeout and delivery during COVID-19
Click here for a list of businesses that remain open during this time in Pitt Meadows.
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Mission
Copper Hall, 33129 Railway Ave.
- Providing breakfast 8 a.m. – 9 a.m. Monday/Wednesday/Friday and dinner 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. Tuesday/Thursday/Sunday
MY HOUSE, 7368 Proctor Street, Mission; Tel: 604-287-7200
- Open Monday to Friday 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. for takeaway food, showers, laundry and crisis referral
Haven in the Hollow, 32646 Logan Avenue, Mission; Tel: (604) 826-3634
- Providing three meals per day
Mission Friendship Centre Society, 33150A 1st Avenue, Mission; Tel: (604) 826-1281
- Monday to Friday lunches via brown bag takeaway
Food Centre, 32646 Logan Ave., Mission; Tel: (604)-814-3333
- Hamper distribution is available for pickup on Monday and Wednesday between 9-11 a.m., and Friday between 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
St. Joseph’s Food Bank, 32550 7th Ave., Mission; Tel: 778-201-5000
- Drive through only. Their inventory is slightly down. They take guidance from Food Banks Canada
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New Westminster
The City of New Westminster has created a Food Resource Calendar and Survival Resources Guide, that will be updated weekly.
- The Survival Resources Guide supports people requiring shelter, including those with mental health and substance use issues, at-risk youth, women and children fleeing domestic violence, and low income families
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Surrey
Surrey Libraries maintains an updated list of food, meal, and grocery services at Surrey Libraries COVID-19 Food and meals.
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Tri-cities
The Tri-Cities Homelessness and Housing Task Group maintains a updated list of Food and Meal Programs in the Tri-Cities Region.
Additional food, meal, and grocery services and delivery programs in the Tri-Cities Region.
Food access for individuals and organizations - Questions and answers
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I am self-isolating and cannot leave my home to buy groceries. How can I get food?
Self-isolation can pose an additional barrier to accessing food during this time, however many businesses and organizations are offering grocery and meal delivery services.
For groceries, contact your local grocery store to see if they are providing delivery services. If you are a senior, BC 211 is connecting seniors with volunteers that can pick-up groceries and prescriptions. You can call 2-1-1 or fill out their online form. Please see the municipality-specific services for grocery delivery programs in your area.
For meals, many restaurants are offering delivery services and can be contacted directly through phone or email. Other meal delivery programs are also available and can be found under the municipality-specific services.
If you need free or low-cost food, some food banks are providing delivery services. Please see the municipality-specific services for details.
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This is my first time using low-cost food and meal services. How do I go about it?
Food banks typically provide three to four days’ worth of free food every one or two weeks for their clients. Most will require you to register as a client to use their services. This can involve calling the food bank or setting up an appointment with them. Once you are registered, you can pick up your food hamper based on the operating hours and dates of that specific food bank.
Free meal programs provide individual meals and may be available to all community members or just a specific population (such as youth or seniors). You will need to contact the organization offering the meals to receive your food. Some programs offer free meals daily whereas others only operate on certain days during the week or month. Many programs are now providing food in prepackaged containers to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19. You may need to register with the program in order to receive meals. Others will allow you to drop-in without registering or ordering the food. Certain restaurants are also offering free meals at this time.
Low-cost meals are available through several organizations. Orders and payment can be done online or over the phone and the prepackaged meals are delivered on specific days of the week. Some organizations provide hot meals whereas others offer frozen meals. Some of these services are only offered to specific populations, such as seniors or those with medical conditions.
Please see the municipality-specific services to find free and low-cost food options near you. Each organization operates slightly differently so check the description of each one to learn how to access their services.
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My organization offers food and/or meal services. How do I keep my employees and volunteers safe?
Organizations distributing foods to low-income or vulnerable clients are exempted from the requirement in place for restaurants who are not allowed to serve meals indoors at tables. However, they must comply with physical distancing requirements to protect employees, volunteers and clients.
Some ways to adapt your services to allow for physical distancing include preparing hampers ahead of time for clients to pick up, having clients wait outside for pick up and staggering pick up times to avoid crowding.
For organizations offering meal services, pre-packaged meals are the safest option. Self-service items should be removed from areas where clients can access them and utensils and cutlery should be replaced.
Additionally, have handwashing stations and hand sanitizer available.
Please visit the BCCDC page for Food Banks & Food Distribution for detailed information on how to reduce the risk of COVID-19 to volunteers, employees and clients.
Source – BC Centre for Disease Control
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What food-related services are considered essential?
Food-related essential services include:
- Businesses and non-profit organizations providing food for low-income or vulnerable populations (includes food banks and community kitchens).
- Schools and other entities providing free food services to students, or other members of the public.
- Food cultivation services (includes farming, livestock, fishing and community gardens)• Farming supply retailers.
- Services in food processing, manufacturing, storage and distribution.
- Retail food establishments and restaurants (operating under provincial recommendations).
- Food inspection, transportation and delivery services.
Please visit the Government of B.C.’s website for a complete list of essential services.