FOOD SECURITY
Grocery Program
Food Bank
What is food insecurity?
What is food insecurity? It’s many things. It’s parents who skip a meal so their children can eat. It’s people having to choose between buying groceries and paying their rent on time. It’s anyone who doesn’t know where their next meal will come from and that number is growing. At People for a Healthy Community’s Grocery Program (aka Food Bank), we’re seeing that need firsthand. On average, one new person each week is accessing our program for the first time.
People for a Healthy Community strives to ensure that services and resources are accessible to all, including people with disabilities. The current PHC facility does not meet all current accessibility guidelines though we do have multiple entry doors, one of which is ramped. Where needed, program participants will be delivered resources at the main entrance. Learn more here about our Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities policy.
PHC is committed to ensuring that core food-support service to program participants is provided at no-cost, and without being implicitly or explicitly tied to other conditions (such as: volunteer participation, donations, membership). Learn more here about our No-Cost Food Access policy.
Where does our food come from?
People for a Healthy Community (PHC) receives food from many sources across our community. We purchase some of the food we need, while much of our supply comes through generous donations from individuals, local farms, businesses, and community partners.
Our Food Recovery Program, made possible through partnerships with Nester’s Marketplace and Loaves & Fishes, helps us rescue good, nutritious food that might otherwise go to waste and redirect it to people in our community.
We also grow food in our community gardens, helping provide fresh produce for our Food Programs.
There are many ways to support PHC’s Food Programs, including donating funds, making an in-kind donation, growing food, or supporting our Food Recovery Program.
About Our Participants
Our Grocery Programs are for residents of Gabriola, Mudge and Decourcy Islands.
399 People
Are currently registered in the Weekly Grocery Program.
180 People
Access the Grocery Program each week.
720 Visits
Monthly to our Weekly Grocery Program.
Who are our participants?
Participants use the program when they need it most—often on weeks when buying groceries is challenging.
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21% Seniors (60+)
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53% Adults (19–59)
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24% Children & Youth (0–19)
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2% Anonymous
How long have they lived here?
These are truly our neighbours... NOT transients or people coming over from Nanaimo for a free meal or bag of groceries.
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56% more than 5 years
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31% for 1–5 years
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13% for less than 1 year
Where do our participants live?
The high cost of housing often leaves little money for food. Many participants are balancing impossible choices between rent, transportation, utilities, and groceries.
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49% stable housing
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45% unstable housing
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6% unhoused
Participant income sources
Many participants in PHC’s Grocery Program rely on employment income, government assistance, pensions, disability supports, or other limited sources of income.
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58% of participants are employed
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38% rely on government benefits
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4% report other sources of income
Source: Gabriola Link2Feed weekly records and Hunger Count surveys, March 2024 and September 2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Food Banks Canada Standards of Excellence
We are thrilled to share that we’ve been accredited through Food Banks Canada’s Standards of Excellence program. This is a testament to our team’s hard work and dedication to providing our clients with the highest quality of service. Learn more about Frequently Asked Questions.
Have a concern or complaint? Please contact the Food Bank Canada's Customer Experience Hotline at 1-877-280-0329 or compliants@foodbankscanada.ca
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