Food Recovery & Rescue Program
At DuMonde Helping Hands Foundation, we believe that no one should go hungry while good food goes to waste. Our Food Recovery and Rescue Program is a core initiative built on the principles of sustainability, equity, and compassion. Every week, we partner with generous food retailers, including our angel sponsor Real Canadian Superstore and other local grocery stores, to recover surplus food items that are nearing their best-before dates but are still perfectly edible and nutritious.
These rescued food items are immediately sorted, checked for safety and quality, and then redistributed to individuals and families in need across our communities. Through this program, we’re not only preventing food waste and reducing food waste but also addressing food insecurity, empowering vulnerable populations, and reducing the burden on our landfills. It's a beautiful cycle of giving, recovering, and sustaining—a system where food finds its true purpose: nourishing people.
Through our Pop-Up Programs, these cultural foods rescued we being distributed to the families in need and low-income
"If Immediate food/feeding is out of what keeps people poor, then poverty is definitely out of the way" -African Proverb
Mission
Our Mission: Fighting Hunger,
Reducing Waste Canada discards an estimated 58% of all food produced annually—this includes food that is perfectly edible but never reaches a plate.
Our Food Recovery and Rescue Program is a direct response to this crisis. We intercept that potential waste and redirect it to those who need it most. Instead of ending up in a landfill, thousands of pounds of wholesome fruits, vegetables, dairy products, baked goods, and pantry staples are rescued regularly. By working hand-in-hand with retail partners, we’ve created a reliable and impactful model of circular food distribution that truly transforms lives.
Vision & Program Impact
How the Program Works
1. Collection & Recovery: 1-3 times a week, our teams visit partner grocery stores such as Real Canadian Superstore and others. They collect food items that are close to their expiry date or edible consumables but still safe and healthy to eat. These include fruits, vegetables, bread, perishables and non-perishables, dairy, and occasionally frozen items.
2. Sorting & Safety Inspection: At our storage and distribution hubs, the collected food is sorted by trained volunteers. We ensure that only safe, high-quality, and fresh food is retained. Anything unsuitable is responsibly composted, but that represents a very small portion of what we receive.
3. Redistribution: Once sorted, the food is packaged and either sent directly to households in need through our Neighbourly Nourishment Program or distributed at our pop-up food hubs and community food banks. We prioritize families with children, seniors, newcomers, persons with disabilities, and low-income individuals.
4. Tracking & Reporting: Transparency is key to our operations. Tracking food donation, estimating the weight of the amounts recovered.
This accountability allows us to quantify impact and improve efficiency.
