Carla Pellegrini, Executive Director of Food Stash Foundation, leads a Vancouver-based nonprofit dedicated to rescuing surplus food and redistributing it to community members in need. Founded in 2016, the organization tackles food waste while supporting dignified food access, offering programs like a home delivery grocery box and a community Rescued Food Market.
Describe your charity/non-profit/volunteer work in a few sentences.
Food Stash Foundation is a food rescue organization, that prevents good food from going to waste while providing dignified food access to community members.
What problem does it aim to solve?
We have a twofold mission, to prevent food waste and feed our community. We started in 2016 because we saw an opportunity to reduce food waste in the city by redirecting perfectly edible food to other charities to use in their food programs. Since then, we have grown to have our own low-barrier programs including a home delivery grocery box and in-person market.
When did you start/join it?
I joined in July 2021, with a background in non-profit and for-profit community development, social finance and operations management.
What made you want to get involved?
I wanted to get involved in an organization that was making a grassroots effort to combat both food waste and support our community. This organization has allowed me to wear many different hats and continuously use my creative problem-solving skills.
What was the situation like when you started?
One example that shows the scale of the work we do is when I started we had rescued about 870,000 pounds of food but in 2023 we rescued 1.5 million pounds of food. Our work not only feeds our community but we are preventing this food from ending up in our landfills.
How has it changed since?
Since I started I’ve watched our home delivery program grow and the creation of our Rescued Food Market. Originally started as a reaction to the surplus food we had at the end of the week, but now has evolved into a beautiful community. Additionally, our driving team has expanded which means more rescued food and the ability to add more amazing community partners, who rely on this food for their programming.
What more needs to be done?
We know that food isn’t the solution to food insecurity, so the work we are doing is a band-aid solution. To solve these problems long term people need living wages, access to affordable housing and more affordable basic necessities.
How can our readers help?
If you have the means to donate to support organizations like ours, from November 15th until December 31st, 2024 every dollar you donate will be matched by thanks to South Flats by PCI Developments and Low Tide Properties. You can also be more mindful of your food waste at home, being sure to store your groceries properly to avoid them spoiling, making meal plans so you don’t over shop and being sure to compost food waste instead of putting it in the garbage.
Do you have any events coming up?
We have a four-course charity dinner on December 2nd, made with all ingredients that are rescued and cooked by well-known chefs Mark Brand and Johnny Bridge. Tickets are at tinyurl.com/dinnerFS
Where can we follow you?
Instagram | Facebook | TikTok | LinkedIn
PAY IT FORWARD: What is an awesome local charity that you love?
Mission Possible. They help people who are facing barriers to employment get back into the workforce, providing support for interviews, resumes and real work experience.
