Eating Well on a Budget

Coast Mental Health's Cafeterias
Note: Membership is required

Club house's Affordable lunch

Each day, Coast clients  and staff work together to ensure the smooth running of Coast’s Mount Pleasant Clubhouse.  To be part of the Clubhouse, clients must become members and have the opportunity to work with an employment counselor to develop a Clubhouse Goal Plan. This plan is the blueprint for how the member will contribute to the Clubhouse community while developing workplace and social skills.
Members can choose from three employment units: food services; environment; communication. While at the Clubhouse, they can also enjoy a low-cost nutritious meal, participate in a variety of recreational activities, and use the free laundry facilities.

Club house Hours:
  • Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri from 8 am - 4 pm
  • Wed from 8 am - 6 pm
Times: 12 - 1pm
Location: 293 East 11th Avenue
Phone: 604-675-2357
Cost: Under $5

Resource Centre Affordable Meals

The Resource Centre meets people where they’re at and focuses on building relationships, trust and help people improve their health and pursue recovery.

In addition to offering low-cost  breakfast, lunch and snacks, it’s home to some of Coast’s most popular and successful support programs, such as the member-run art room, community health nurses, community garden, peer support worker program and the homeless outreach program.

Other regular programs include running groups, yoga, music classes, and music and games afternoons. 
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Resource Centre Hours: 
  • Tues to Sat 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
Times: 
  • Breakfast: 9 am - 10 am
  • Lunch: 12 pm - 1 pm
  • Afternoon snack: 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Location: 1225 Seymour Street
Phone: 604-683-3787
Cost: 
  • Breakfast: $1.00
  • Lunch: $2.00
  • Afternoon snack: No charge

The Gathering Place Cafeteria

The Gathering Place Cafeteria provides low-cost and healthy meals to all community members. The Cafeteria offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner throughout the week.

Hours:
  • Breakfast: 9 am - 12 pm
  • Lunch: 11 am - 4 pm
  • Dinner: 4 pm - 7 pm

Location: The Gathering Place, 609 Helmcken St., Vancouver 
Phone: 604-665-2391 

Please see website for the current menu and meal prices. 

Mobile Meals!

Our Meals on Wheels program is aimed towards seniors, individuals with chronic or acute medical conditions and/or people recovering from illness or injury. 

In addition to the meal delivery, our volunteers perform an informal wellness check on each client and provide social interaction to those living alone. 
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Our goal is to help people retain independence in the comfort of their own homes!
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What can you expect?  We prepare a variety of meat and/or vegetarian dishes (we now even offer Gluten Free meals) and each entree comes with a salad and a scrumptious dessert! 


SIGN UP TODAY FOR AS LOW AS $7/MEAL  
Dates: Monday to Thursday between 4PM - 6 PM.
Phone:  778-617-3000, ext 2
Email: [email protected]

Marpole Community Food Hub

The Marpole Community Food Hub provides food assistance to the Kerrisdale, Marpole, and Oakridge communities. The distribution program offers free dry goods and fresh produce to individuals in need.


Dates: Weekly
Location: 8680 Hudson St., Vancouver (in St. Augustine's Anglican Church)  
Phone: 604-202-1901
Email: [email protected]


For more information, please visit the website

Little Mountain Food Distribution Program

The Little Mountain Food Distribution Program provides fresh and healthy perishable and non-perishable food at no cost. The Program is limited to individuals who live within the geographic boundary defined by Cambie St to Knight St and 16th Ave to 49th Ave. 

Other programs include:
  • Riley Park Community Garden
  • Yard Garden Harvest Program
  • Community Fridge and Pantry

Please contact the Program for details regarding dates, times, locations, and other details. 

Email: ​​[email protected]

​Sheway - Food Services

Sheway is a program that provides support to pregnant women and women with infants who are dealing with substance use issues. 

Resources: 
  • Daily hot lunches from 11:30 am - 1:30 pm
  • Community Kitchen on Wednesdays
  • Weekly food bags and milk support
  • Nutrition counselling and prenatal vitamins
  • Medical care and wellness supports
  • Counselling and mental health resources
  • Baby food, formula, and other assistance 
  • Access to Dietitians, along with support from a variety of health care workers

Drop-in Hours: Monday - Friday | 10:30am - 3:30pm
Phone Hours: Monday - Friday | 8:30 am - 4:30pm
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 604-216-1699
Location: 533 E Hastings St

Tuesday Night Food Prep

Join community members on Tuesday nights for a fun night of food prep. Neighbours work together to prepare healthy and nutritious food that is made available to participants in the Community Drop-in the following day.
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Dates and Times: Tuesdays, 6:45 - 9  pm
Email: Kelsey at [email protected]
Location: DTES Neighbourhood House
573 East Hastings Street

​Aboriginal Front Door Society - Food Bank

AFDS Food Bank
  • Food is provided to residents of the DTES who are in need of assistance
  • Provide wholesome cuisine in a courteous and respectable setting
  • Duty to refer clients to other neighborhood services to promote independence
Hours: Wednesdays
  • AFDS member only: 10 pm - 11 am
  • General public: after 11 am

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 604-697-5662
Location: 384 Main St., Vancouver

Apps & Websites for Finding Food on Sale

Have you considered using technology to help you with finding grocery deals?

There a couple of websites, also available as phone apps, that can help you with this.

Everyone will likely have their own preferences...

Flipp seems to be a bit simpler for more easily viewing this week's store flyers.  

​Evelyne Saller Centre - Cafeteria

Cafeteria at Evelyne Saller Center
  • Open every day of the year, including weekends
  • Serves cooked meals from a daily-changing menu
Costs of Meals
  • Each meal, whether it is breakfast, lunch, or dinner, costs $2.00
  • Additional portions can be purchased for a fee
Payment Options
  • Can be paid for in cash or in advance by funding a client meal account
  • Option for clients receiving social assistance to set up a monthly account through the Ministry of Human Resources
Contact for Questions
  • Center can be contacted between the hours of 9:30 am and 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday
  • To open a food account or ask questions about meal offerings

​Hours:
  • Breakfast 10 am - 12 pm
  • Lunch 11 am - 3 pm
  • Dinner 3 pm - 5:50 pm
    ​
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 604-665-3075
Location: 404 Alexander St

​Quest Food Exchange - Food Recovery & Redistribution

Quest Food Exchange Initiative
  • Focuses on distributing high-quality surplus food to those facing food insecurity
  • Aim to provide clients access to healthy, affordable meals in a respectful and welcoming setting
  • Help people make the transition from reliance to independence
    ​
Locations:
  • 2020 Dundas St., Vancouver
    • Monday-Friday | 9 am - 5:45 pm
    • Saturday | 9 am - 3:45 pm
    • Closed Sundays and holidays
    • Phone: 604-602-0186
  • 637 East Hastings St., Vancouver
    • Monday-Friday | 9 am - 5 pm
    • Saturday | 9 am - 4 pm
    • Closed Sundays and holidays
    • Phone: 604-253-2078
  • 13890 104 Ave., Surrey
    • Monday-Friday | 9 am - 5:45 pm
    • Saturday | 9 am - 3:45 pm
    • Sunday | 12 pm - 4 pm
    • Phone: 604-588-3476
  • 7753 6th St., Burnaby
    • Monday-Friday | 9 am - 5:45 pm
    • Saturday | 9 am- 3:45 pm
    • Sunday |11 am - 3 pm
    • Phone: 604-553-0636
  • 167 1st St. East, North Vancouver
    • Monday-Friday | 9 am - 5:45 pm
    • Saturday | 9 am - 3:45 pm
    • Closed Sundays and holidays
    • Phone: 604-566-0110

Email: [email protected]
Hours: Monday - Friday | 9 am - 5:45 pm

Kits Cares

Kits Cares is a weekly low-cost food market that addresses food insecurity and loneliness. Please note, the market has a Christian designation.

Location: Redemption Church, 3512 West 7th  Avenue, Vancouver
Dates: Thursdays 
Time: 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm
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​Community Lunch Mount Pleasant Neighborhood House

Join a community lunch at Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House every Friday. Enjoy amazing food and great company!

Date: Fridays  |12 pm - 1:45 pm
Location: 800 East Broadway, Vancouver 
Phone: 604-879-8208
Email: [email protected]

Vancouver Community Fridge Project

The Vancouver Community Fridge Project: A decentralized food distribution network and mutual aid initiative providing healthy, free food and essential supplies to lower mainland communities.
  • Combatting Food Insecurity: Our mission focuses on encouraging laterally-directed mutual aid within communities, starting with the provision of free, safe, non-policed, accessible, and nutritious food.
  • Community Fridge and Pantries: We support food distribution through these local resources, ensuring accessibility and promoting community involvement.

Free & Low-Cost Meals and Groceries

Google Map
  • A Google Map showing locations of free or low-cost meals and groceries in Vancouver
  • Created by Vancouver Coastal Health public health dietitians, Vancouver Neighbourhood Food Networks, UBC Land and Food Systems students and instructors, the City of Vancouver and Fresh Roots
  • Helps to connect individuals with their local community
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Highlighting Food Assets
  • Highlight food assets located in local communities
  • Food assets are places where people can grow, prepare, share, buy, receive or learn about food
  • Community organizations and schools are included on the map
  • They provide community members with support with learning and health or connect with others in their community

Easy to Use
  • User-friendly interface
  • A video on how to use the map is available by clicking here and scrolling to the bottom.
  • Encourage to check out resources in your neighbourhood.

​Food Skills Program @ Kitsilano Neighbourhood House

Hands-on Cooking Program:
  • Teaches how to shop, prepare, cook, and eat nutritious meals on a budget, while having fun.
Schedule:
  • 6 Sessions on Fridays
  • Dates to be announced
Location:
  • @ Kitsilano Neighbourhood House
  • 2305 West 7th Ave
Cost:
  • The program is $20
  • A membership to Kits House ($10) is also required
Participation:
  • Participants must be between the ages of 13-18
  • Parent or legal guardian is required to participate throughout the sessions

Interested? ​Contact Patricia,
Phone: 604-736-3588 ext. 128
​Email: [email protected]

Seniors Supper Club and Seniors Lunch

Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House has a lot of vibrant, active offerings for seniors (55+), all available for browsing at the link below.

Two we'll highlight:
Seniors Lunch
  • Every Tuesday at 12 pm - 12:30 pm
  • Bingo is available for those interested in playing
  • Cost of the lunch is $4 when using a punch card, which gets you 5 meals
  • $5 for a one time meal ticket
    ​
Community Lunch
  • Every Friday
  • Open to anyone of any age group
  • Cost is the same as the Seniors Lunch

Community Potluck
Location: Kitsilano Neighbourhood House,
2305 W. 7 Ave., Vancouver, BC

Date: Third Wednesday of every month, 6 pm - 8 pm
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Monthly Community Potlucks
  • Take place the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 6:30 pm
  • ​Everyone is welcome, and it is preferred to bring a vegetarian dish to share
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During the Potluck
  • Opportunity to get to know fellow community members
  • Board games will be available for those interested

Facebook Group
  • Join the Facebook group via the button provided.

UBC Food Bank

The UBC Foodbank provides free perishable and non-perishable food items, hygiene products, and other resources to UBC students and staff in need.

Details:
  • Must show a valid UBC ID, but no registration is necessary
  • Additional resources for families
  • Students can use the food bank up to 16 times per term
  • Bring your own reusable bags

Hours: Mon and Thurs | 12 pm - 7 pm
Location: LIFE 0023,  Old Student Union Building, UBC Main Campus 
Cost: Free

Check out Sprouts for more low-cost food at UBC.

Community Lunches at Gordon Neighbourhood House

Community Lunches at Gordon Neighbourhood House
  • An opportunity for community members to enjoy a meal together, meet new people, and catch up with friends in a casual environment

​Meatless Mondays:
  • Enjoy a $3 vegetarian meal
  • Coffee and tea is also served​

Wednesday and Friday Lunches:
  • Delicious three course menu prepared by Chef Atticus, including soup/salad, a main course, and dessert
  • Coffee and tea also served
  • Cost is $6 per person
  • Sign up for the e-newsletter to receive updated menus

Hours: 
Doors open at 11:30 am
Lunch is served at 12 pm

To reserve a spot and for menu details call,
Front Desk Phone: 604-683-2554
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For more information,
Email: [email protected].

Good and Cheap - Online Cook Book

Leanne Brown's Book
  • Designed to create satisfying food that doesn’t require supplementing meals with cheap carbohydrates to stave off hunger
  • Recipes are available online for free
  • Recipes in the book are about eating well on $4/ day​
  • Wide variety of dishes, including vegetarian and vegan options

Eating on a limited budget
  • Seeks to make it easier to eat on a budget, especially when tough weeks can turn mealtime into a chore
  • Hope the recipes and techniques in this book can help make those times rare and the tough choices a little more bearable​
Other Internet sites to consider: