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Food Banks Canada

Now more than ever, food banks across the country need access to healthy and nutritious food. At Food Banks Canada, we are aligning with the recommendations made within Canada’s Food Guide and Health Canada’s new Healthy Eating Strategy to provide high-quality food to those that truly need it.

Together, we all grow.

Guidelines for Food Donations

In order to ensure supply of the most wholesome foods to the network, we are minimizing the distribution of certain processed foods (high in sugar, sodium and/or saturated fat) and prioritizing nutritionally dense items like these for distribution within the network;

  • Proteins (perishable & non-perishable)
  • Fruits & Vegetables (fresh, frozen & canned)
  • Whole grains
  • Healthy fats

Guidelines for Food Donations

Guidelines for Non-Food Donations

In addition to food, we also accept a variety of personal care and household cleaning products on an “as needed” basis. This allows clients to purchase more food or other necessary items. These are the types of products we focus on and prioritize for distribution within the network;

  • Baby supplies (diapers, wipes, formula)
  • Personal hygiene items (shampoo, deodorant, sanitary products)
  • Household cleaners (laundry & dish soap, cleaning supplies)

Guidelines for Non-Food Donations

What we cannot accept

There are some items that we simply cannot accept;

  • Alcohol (or mouthwash, vanilla, etc.)
  • Tobacco (or vaping products)
  • High sugar drinks (sodas, energy drinks)
  • DIN or NPN products* (medications, vitamins, supplements)

*excluding toothpaste

What we cannot accept

Download the Guidelines for Donations Here

For more information or to make a donation, please contact food-donations@foodbankscanada.ca