Low-Cost Meal & Grocery Resources in Alberta.
Big thanks to Judith McNicol (Dietetic Intern) for her assistance in putting together this blog post!
Since the COVID-19 pandemic began fourteen months ago, we have been forced to change and adjust to new and challenging situations. This includes many individuals having to work from home, or only being able to see loved ones virtually. In addition, those who own small businesses may be struggling to make ends meet due to multiple lockdowns.
Feeding your family can seem daunting when you’re on a budget. We have compiled a list of resources in Alberta that offer meals and groceries at a reduced cost. These options are geared towards lower income individuals/families, but they may also be applicable for those who are in isolation due to COVID-19.
Keep reading to see if there is a resource that might be helpful for your unique situation.
CALGARY & EDMONTON:
The Leftovers Foundation - Fresh Deliveries
Fresh Deliveries offers an emergency food box delivery program for households in isolation or in emergency financial situations. This resource is available in Calgary and Edmonton. In 2020, the Leftovers Foundation saved 596,755 pounds of food from being dumped into landfills, and redirected that food to community members in need. Each food box contains 12 eggs, 1 loaf of bread, and a variety of fresh fruit and vegetables. There is no set cost for the food boxes – it’s simply “pay what you want” fresh food delivery service. Their final delivery date for this year will be Thursday May 27, 2021. Click here for the delivery request form.
Fresh Routes is a not-for-profit mobile grocery store that operates in both Edmonton and Calgary. Their mobile grocery store stops in 4 different neighbourhoods, with the aim of providing access to healthy, fresh, and affordable foods. Included below is link to the weekly schedules. Click here for the Calgary schedule
*NOTE: Edmonton operations were temporarily closed on April 6, 2021 due to COVID-19*
CALGARY & AREA:
The Good Food Box Program (Community Kitchen Program of Calgary)
The Good Food Box Program offers boxes of assorted fresh fruit and vegetables at a subsidized cost (~40-50% off typical grocery store prices). The Good Food Box Program has depots in Calgary, Airdrie, Strathmore, Chestermere, Carstairs, Cochrane, and Okotoks. There are 3 box size options: a small box at $25 which contains 20-25lbs, a medium box at $30 which contains 30-35lbs and, and a large box for $35 which contains 40-45 lbs. The content of the boxes varies weekly and with seasonal availability. Depots for collection are located in Calgary and the surrounding area. The depot addresses and contact details for the depot coordinators are listed on their website.
The Alex Community Food Centre
The Alex Community Food Centre offers a variety of food services including cooking and gardening lessons. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they are offering several other options.
- The “Lunch to Go” program runs every Wednesday from 11:30am-1:00pm, where individuals can drop by and pick up a nutritious fresh lunch.
- The “Meals to Go” program offers frozen meal and salad kits for individuals and families. These are available to pick up at their location in Calgary from 10:00am-12:00pm every Friday.
- In addition, there is an Affordable Produce Market where clients can purchase vegetables, fruit, and various items at a discounted price. This is on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month, from 11:30am-1:00pm.
- The Alex also offers various community programs, including free virtual cooking classes during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Made by Momma is a volunteer-run organization offers homemade frozen meals to mothers and their children. These meals are made in bulk then packaged, labelled and frozen before being distributed to families. They also provide non-perishable food hampers and bread donated by COBS Bakery. Click here to contact Made by Momma and request assistance through their online form.
The Calgary Food Bank provides emergency food support for families and individuals experiencing financial hardship. Food hampers are requested by calling 403-253-2055. The Hamper request line is open Monday-Thursday 8:15am-7:00pm and Friday 8:15am-3:30pm. Hampers are subject to qualification and personal questions about income and expenses will be asked. Click here for more information on requesting a hamper.
Calgary Meals on Wheels is a not-for-profit meal delivery service, providing fresh and frozen meals to Calgarians. There is an option for reduced fees for qualifying low-income clients. In addition, many of the meals will go on sale for as little as $3.00 CAD! Meals are delivered Monday-Friday from 10:30am-1:00pm. Meals can also be made to accommodate a WIDE variety of texture modifications or special diets, including: gluten-free, diabetic, low-sodium, renal, heart healthy, vegetarian, and low-lactose.
No-cost emergency food hampers are available with up to 2 days’ worth of non-perishable food and other basic hygiene items. Delivery is available. Additional requests for diapers, wipes, infant cereal, and baby formula can be made for families with infants or toddlers. Appts to request hampers can be made by calling the Barbara Mitchell Family Resource Centre at 403-930-2700 or emailing frcinfo@salvationarmycalgary.org
For additional no-cost hamper programs and resources in Calgary, visit the COVID-19 Access to Food page on the City of Calgary website.
EDMONTON:
WeCan Food Basket Society of Alberta
The WeCan Food Basket Society offer access to groceries at lower costs since they buy in bulk from a local wholesaler. Annual memberships to the program costs $5. Food baskets contain 2-3 frozen meats, 3 types of fresh vegetables and 3 types of fresh fruit at the cost of $25. Larger families may order a double food basket for $50. Pork may be substituted for religious purposes. Specific income does not have to be disclosed – all they ask for is your name and phone number. Collection depots are located around Edmonton, and orders can be placed online or by calling 780-413-4525.
Good Food 2 Go offer low-cost food boxes and meal assembly kits that are available for delivery and pick-up at Jasper Place Wellness Centre. Orders can be made online, by calling 780-906-4971 or in-person. The service offers a range of different food boxes; grocery staples box, pantry essentials box, mixed produce box and snack boxes from $15.00.
The Edmonton Food Bank offer access to Food Hampers to residents around the city. The food hampers provide households with access to dry goods free of charge. Hampers can be requested using the online order form, or calling 780-425-4190 (Monday to Friday from 8:30am-4:00pm). Food Hampers are subject to qualification and are available once per month. More information on the other services they offer is listed on their website.
- Meals on Wheels offers both fresh or frozen meals for as little as $9.50 per day per person. There is an option for reduced fees for qualifying low-income clients. Meals are delivered Monday through Friday. A minimum order of 5 meal packages is required for first-time orders. One meal package includes soup, an entrée, side dish, and dessert. There are options for vegan, halal, and gluten-free meals.
- Edmonton Meals on Wheels also offers a grocery delivery service called “The Grocery Bag” for individuals who are not able to grocery shop for personal or medical reasons. The minimum order for “The Grocery Bag” services is $15, with a maximum order of $100. There is a $5 service fee for all grocery deliveries. Grocery orders are placed until Tuesdays at noon for delivery on Wednesday and Thursday evenings.
RURAL ALBERTA:
If you live in a rural area, click here to visit the AHS Free Food in Alberta webpage, where you can select your region and find a food bank in your area.