FOOD SECURITY
Food Sourcing
Growing, Recovering and Sharing Food
What is Food Sourcing?
At People for a Healthy Community (PHC), food security is about more than providing groceries. It’s about building a connected and sustainable food system that ensure our community has access to nutritious food.
We source food through local partnerships, food recovery, community gardens, homegrown donations and food purchases when needed. Through these efforts, we make the most of available resources, reduce food waste and connect people with fresh, nutritious food.
From recovering food to growing vegetables with local students and sharing homegrown harvests, our programs bring people together to support food security across Gabriola, Mudge and DeCourcy Islands.
How We Source Food
Food Recovery Program
Rescuing good food and putting it to good use.
Through our partnership with Nesters Food Market and Loaves and Fishes Food Recovery Program, PHC collects surplus food that can no longer be sold but is still suitable for use. Each year, approximately 144,000 pounds of food are diverted from landfill through this process. This approach helps reduce food waste while making the most of available resources to support our community.
With the help of our volunteers, recovered food is sorted and directed where it can do the most good:
69%
Food for People
Suitable food supports participants in our Weekly Grocery Program. Surplus ingredients may also help prepare meals for community programs.
17%
Food for Animals
Food no longer suitable for people but safe for animal feed is shared with participating local farmers, supporting their animals and local agriculture.
14%
Food for our Gardens
Food unsuitable for people or animals is composted where possible, returning nutrients to the soil and supporting future food production.
Data from Nesters 2025 tracking and Loaves and Fishes (Aug 2025–Jan 2026)
Interested in participating as a local farmer?
Contact food@phcgabriola.org to ask about joining our animal food call list.
Supporting Food Security In Our Community
Growing & Harvesting Food
Food Recovery
Food Skills
Feeding Our Community
Growing and Harvesting Food
Growing fresh food, building skills and nurturing community.
PHC grows fresh produce in garden beds at the Commons north community gardens. The harvest helps supply some of the food available through our Weekly Grocery Program and helps supports school hot lunch initiatives.
From February to June, Gabriola Elementary School students take part in garden-based learning, developing practical skills as they plant, care for and harvest food. Throughout the school year, students also explore food literacy, learning where food comes from and why growing and sharing food matters.
Our gardens do more than produce vegetables. They create opportunities for hands-on learning, connection and a deeper understanding of local food security.
PHC stewards approximately 1,900 square feet of garden space, producing around 1,000 pounds of food each year for distribution through our food programs. This work connects food recovery, growing and sharing fresh food, helping nourish our community while supporting a more sustainable local food system.
Grow a Row: Plant • Grow • Share
A little extra from your garden can make a meaningful difference.
Grow a Row invites home gardeners to plant an extra row or two of vegetables, fruit or other produce to share with neighbours through PHC.
Every donation helps bring fresh, locally grown food to participants in our Weekly Grocery Program, adding nutritious variety to the groceries available to individuals and families in our community.
Whether you have a large garden or a small growing space, your contribution can help nourish our community.
How to Participate
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Plant a little extra in your garden.
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Harvest your fresh produce when it is ready.
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Bring your donation to PHC, ideally on Tuesdays or Wednesdays, so our team can distribute it as quickly as possible.
What can you grow?
Beans, peas, tomatoes, beets, turnips, potatoes, leafy greens, onions, garlic, carrots, zucchini, squash, melons, berries, grapes and tree fruits are all welcome.
Whether you have a large garden or a small growing space, your contribution can help nourish our community.
Learn more about food donation drop-off hours and learn when you can bring donations to PHC.
Ways to Support Food Security
Every contribution helps build a stronger, more connected food system.
Do you have a question about our food programs? Email food@phcgabriola.org or call 250-247-7311