The Greater Vancouver Food Bank (GVFB) announced today (April 19) that it is launching an initiative to address food waste in B.C.

The social enterprise was made possible by a grant of over US$830,000 (over $1 million Cdn) from the Walmart Foundation. The grant is part of US$15 million (over $19 million Cdn) that the company is donating to Canadian initiatives and research to reduce food waste, in addition to aiming to achieve zero food waste in its Canadian operations by 2025. The grant is the largest amount that the non-profit has received since launching in 1982.

The initiative, Goodly Foods, had been in its pilot-program phase.

The program uses surplus food that might otherwise be discarded and uses them as ingredients for soup, sauces, and more. The food is processed at a commercial kitchen by the Potluck Café Society.

Goodly soups will be distributed to Greater Vancouver Food Bank members and for sale to food services and the public this year.

In partnership with Potluck Café Society, the program offers training and employment to individuals who face barriers to employment.

“This investment will allow us to increase our processing capacity and invest in job opportunities for individuals with barriers to employment,” Goodly Foods general manager Alexa Pitoulis stated in a news release.

The GVFB serves over 27,000 people each week at 13 food locations and over 80 community agencies in Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster, and the North Shore.