On July 1, our team joined hundreds of community members at the City of Coquitlam’s Canada Day celebration, where we connected with families and shared our mission of reducing food waste and strengthening food security.
Through a fun and interactive Food Waste Quiz, children and families learned more about food waste in Canada and simple ways to make a positive difference. It was inspiring to see so many children participate, ask questions, and enjoy books, snacks, treats, and prizes while learning about an important issue. We are grateful to everyone who joined us and helped make Canada Day a meaningful celebration of community, compassion, and positive action. 🇨🇦
Community Kindness: Ling Yen Mountain Temple
“The Food Link Society extends its sincere gratitude to the Ling Yen Mountain Temple (Canada) for their generous food donation. Their contribution directly supports our recovery and community access programs, helping us deliver fresh, nutritious food to local families while preventing waste. We are deeply grateful for their partnership and shared commitment to building a more secure, resilient, and caring community.”
Strengthening Food Security Through Collaboration
Food Link Society was pleased to welcome the Honourable Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, MP Zoë Royer, MP Ron McKinnon, and Richard Stewart, Mayor of the City of Coquitlam for a visit focused on food recovery and food security. During their visit, our guests toured our warehouse and commercial kitchen and learned how surplus food is recovered, prepared into nutritious meals, and distributed to individuals and families in our communities. The visit also highlighted the importance of working together across government, nonprofits, businesses, donors, volunteers, and community organizations to build a stronger and more sustainable food system.
We are grateful for the opportunity to share our work and to contribute to the conversation around Canada’s National Food Security Strategy. Thank you to our guests for their time and for recognizing the dedication of everyone who helps make our work possible.
Inno Foods Supports Food Recovery
We sincerely thank Inno Foods for their generous donation of 2,176 kg of Ginger & Cranberry Coconut Clusters. This fresh, high-quality food was rescued and shared with our community instead of going to waste. The products were distributed through Food Link Society’s food program sites, as well as shared with School District 44 and School District 43 to support students, families, and community members. We are grateful to Inno Foods for helping us reduce food waste and increase access to quality food across our communities.
Appreciate Reza Salamat
For the past 6 years, Reza has been a dedicated Food Link volunteer and an important part of our community. After being introduced to Food Link by a Food Link member, Reza quickly connected with our mission and decided to become part of the team. Despite having a busy career as a handyman, he continues to give his time to help reduce food waste and support people in our community. For Reza, volunteering is about more than just giving his time. It’s about teamwork, connection, and making a positive difference. We are truly grateful for his commitment, energy, and the joy he brings to Food Link.
Appreciate Ghahreman Amini
For the past six years, Ghahreman Amini has supported his community as a Volunteer Team Leader at a Metro Vancouver Housing distribution centre supported by Food Link Society. He helps organize and distribute fresh, nutritious food to community members. Ghahreman finds the most rewarding part of volunteering is seeing the positive impact of a food basket and the smiles it brings to people’s faces. Thank you, Ghahreman, for six years of dedication, compassion, and service to our community.
Celebrating 10 Years of Food Link Society
Ten years ago, Food Link Society began with one school, three grocery stores, and a commitment to supporting 25 families. Today, that simple beginning has grown into 29 distribution centres serving communities across Metro Vancouver. In the past year alone, we provided more than 185,000 food accesses, rescued over 2 million pounds of surplus food, and worked alongside nearly 450 dedicated volunteers. We have also expanded our partnerships with Metro Vancouver Housing and the YWCA to reach more vulnerable residents.
For 10 years, Food Link Society has transformed surplus food into meals, food waste into opportunity, and compassion into lasting impact. Every rescued meal represents more than food. It represents dignity, connection, opportunity, and hope for individuals and families. With the support of our volunteers, donors, partners, schools, businesses, and supporters, we continue to reduce food waste, strengthen food security, and make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.
Celebrating the Heart of Food Link
To celebrate 10 years of Food Link Society, we gathered with our dedicated volunteers, Richard Stewart, Mayor of the City of Coquitlam, and City Councillors Teri Towner, Trish Mandewo, and Matt Djonlic to recognize the incredible impact of volunteer service. Mayor Stewart expressed his sincere appreciation for the commitment, compassion, and hard work of our volunteers. Their dedication has been at the heart of our journey and continues to help us build a stronger and more caring community.
