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Feed Collaboration
Feed Collaboration, an initiative led by Feed Ontario in partnership with The Food Bank of Waterloo Region, makes it easy for food producers to donate surplus food. Through this program, donations are efficiently distributed to food banks across southwestern Ontario, helping to reduce food waste and support communities in need.
The benefits
What sets Feed Collaboration apart is its local-first approach. Food banks at local, regional, and provincial levels work together to increase food resources for the entire Feed Ontario network. This collaborative effort not only helps new and existing food donors—like farmers, greenhouses, hydroponic growers, processors, manufacturers, and distributors—to connect with their local food banks but also ensures that surplus resources are directed to communities in need throughout Ontario, leaving nothing to waste. Your surplus food can make a real difference—let’s work together to fight hunger and reduce waste!
- Makes donating easy – A streamlined process helps food producers support multiple food banks with minimal effort.
- Reduces food waste – Surplus food is redirected to communities in need across southwestern Ontario instead of going to waste.
- Increases food variety – People accessing food assistance receive a greater range of food options beyond what’s available locally.
How it works
01
Here’s what we do
Donating to Feed Collaboration is simple! Just reach out to Nicole Marinelli, our food procurement manager, at nicolem@thefoodbank.ca, and we’ll handle the rest.
02
Pick up your donation
Our refrigerated trucks ensure the food stays fresh and safe.
03
Store it properly
Our 31,000-square-foot distribution centre is equipped to handle large quantities of surplus food.
04
Distribute it efficiently
Donations are shared with food banks and food assistance providers across southwestern Ontario based on their capacity and community needs.
05
Issue a tax receipt
Eligible donations receive a tax receipt for your contribution.
Our impact
In 2023–2024, food producers generously contributed an impressive 980,490 pounds of surplus food to The Food Bank. This food was then shared with food banks across southwestern Ontario through Feed Collaboration, marking a remarkable 145 per cent increase in contributions compared to the previous year.
This growth is a testament to the power of collaboration and the incredible impact a strong community focus can have in fighting hunger and reducing waste. It shows just how much we can achieve when we come together for a common cause.
Snackruptors Inc.
Helping neighbours in need is a community effort. Here at The Food Bank of Waterloo Region, we couldn’t support our community the way we do without the incredible generosity of donors like Snackruptors Inc., a Cambridge-based manufacturer known for crafting high-quality crackers with precision and care.
“At Snackruptors, we pride ourselves on being more than just a manufacturer—we are innovators in the snack industry,” says Cindy Le, the communications & events manager at Snackruptors. “Each of our unique products is precisely crafted to uphold the highest quality, creating an iconic taste and an unforgettable eating experience.”
Saving fresh. Feeding community. programs
Food Recovery program
Through our Food Recovery program, we partner with farmers, restaurants, retailers, distributors, and manufacturers to rescue perfectly good food that might otherwise go to waste. By redirecting this food, we help ensure that people in Waterloo region who are struggling to afford food have access to fresh, nutritious options.
Fresh Approaches Food Centre
In the Fresh Approaches Food Centre, our volunteers and staff work together to safely repack and freeze large fresh food donations from farmers, restaurants, retailers, distributors, and manufacturers. This helps reduce food waste, maximize donations, and ensure more nutritious food gets to those who need it most.
Mobile Pantry
The Mobile Pantry brings food directly to neighbourhoods across Waterloo region, making it easier for individuals and families to access fresh, frozen, and non-perishable food from the Community Food Assistance Network. It’s all about meeting people where they are and ensuring everyone has access to the food they need.
Perishable hamper line
Volunteers keep things moving on an efficient assembly line, packing hampers with fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables. These hampers go to our partners in the Community Food Assistance Network, ensuring that people accessing food programs receive nutritious options.