What Is The Good Food Bag Program?

At the West End Resource Centre, we believe that everyone should have consistent access to nutritious, fresh food. Through the Good Food Bag Program, we provide residents of the Daniel McIntyre and Saint Matthews neighbourhoods with $35-50 worth of fresh, nutritious fruits and vegetables for just $15. With grocery prices increasing every month, the Good Food Bag Program helps keeps costs low for our community through bulk buying and the support of our generous corporate sponsors.

How Does The Good Food Bag Program Work?

The Good Food Bag Program typically runs every second Tuesday, The week before the next pickup date, a reminder email is sent to program participants. If they choose to participate for the next pickup date, participants will prepay the $15 fee either in-person by cash or card at WERC or by e-transfer. Prepayment is required to ensure that all prepared Good Food Bags are picked up.

Then, on the day of the program, our team heads to local grocery stores and purchases a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables in bulk, We then assemble the Good Food Bags back at WERC where they will be available for pickup from around 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm.

Who Can Join the Good Food Bag Program?

Program participants are required to be residents of the Daniel McIntyre / St. Matthews neighbourhoods (or nearby, on a case-by-case basis). Other than that, there are no additional requirements and the program is open to anyone.

Good Food Bag Program Policies At A Glance:

1. Each bag is affordably priced at $15.

2. Each bag is worth $35-50 depending on seasonal prices and other factors.

3. The contents of each bag are variable and will change from date to date. However, each bag will contain a mixture of both fresh fruits and vegetables.

4. Each bag has the same value and contains approximately the same items.

5. To confirm your reservation for the next program date, make your payment by the Monday before the next program date.

6. We accept payments in person by cash, debit, and credit card the week before the program date and online by e-transfer or credit card through Zeffy (https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/west-end-resource-centres-shop).

7. Eligibility for the program requires residency within the Daniel McIntyre/Saint Matthews community and there are no other requirements to join the program.

8. Program participants are not required to purchase a bag on each program date and may pick and choose dates as needed.

Please be aware that pre-registration is a mandatory prerequisite to participate in the program. This policy enables us to maintain the quality of our service and ensure that food bags are available for all pre-registered participants. *We may make exceptions to this requirement on a case-by-case basis.

Ready to Join The Good Food Bag Program?

If you're interested in signing up for the Good Food Bag Program or have any questions, please reach out to Jeremy at jeremy-p@westendresourcecentre.org or 204-202-6932 ext, 107. We will be happy to answer any questions for you and get you set up for your first bag of healthy, affordable produce!