Our Food Hub
The LMNHS Food Hub
The LMNHS Food Hub is a United Way Regional Food Hub and our response to increased food insecurity in our community. Our mission is to create a local, community-led, decolonized food system. We aim to reduce food insecurity in our community, and increase access to healthy food in a way that promotes dignity, equity, and respect. We are dedicated to providing space to grow food, build community, and care for the lands on which we live, work, and play. Our Food Hub focuses on two priorities in our community: Growing Our Food and Feeding Our Community. Click here to open or download our Food Hub Handbook to learn more about our programs and how you can get involved.
United Way Regional Food Hub Partners
Our three spokes include UBC Farm, City Beet Farm, and Sniw Cultural Consultants.
Our Programs
Riley Park Community Garden
Riley Park Community Garden (RPCG) has a communal model of community gardening, which means we share the work and share the harvest. Harvests are shared among volunteers throughout the growing season, for use in our potluck lunches and harvest events and for our LMNHS food literacy programs. There is no wait list to join this community garden, just a willingness to show up and join in the fun of growing your own food. Sign up here!
2023 RPCG Impact Report [insert link]
Yard Garden Harvest Project
We grow food in our neighbours’ back and front yards. The produce is then distributed at our Food Distribution Program. This program is an opportunity to volunteer and connect with people of all ages, learn how to create a foodscape and give back to your community. We also are gleaning in the neighbourhood by harvesting our neighbours’ excess fruit and vegetables.
To offer your yard for production, or if you have fruit or food that could be harvested please contact our Coordinator.
Food Distribution Program
We feed our community by running a weekly food distribution program. We supplement the Food Bank order with produce from East West Market, the Yard Garden Harvest project, UBC Farm Field School program, City Beets Urban Farm, Food Runners and other food recovery programs. Our priority is to support those who live in the Little Mountain, Riley Park and Sunset catchment areas. If you know of someone who may need fresh produce or if you want to volunteer please email: fooddistribution@lmnhs.bc.ca
2023 Food Distribution Impact Report [insert link]
Other Food Hub Programs
Farmers Market Donation Station: The first Saturday of each month is the Farmers Market Donation Station at Riley Park. Shoppers donate money and produce; farmers donate produce at the end of the market day.
Farmers Market Nutrition Coupon Program: Partnership with BC Association of Farmers Markets (BCAFM) allows us to distribute coupon sheets to over 135 households (2023).
Food Literacy: Offering a variety of programs and services such as Community Kitchens, Food Skills for Families, and more.
Building Collective Food Security Resilience Project
Our toolkit for building collective food resilience version 1 was published in January 2022. We will be updating it as we work through the strategies and get your feedback. Stay up to date by following us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. The infographic below is designed as a guide to our collective journey to increased food security. The toolkit document was designed to support you in this work and offer practical examples, resources and tips for implementation. Thank you to the UBC Chapman and Innovation Fund for financing the project.
