Eating Well on a Budget

Down below are some resources for eating well on a budget. 
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If you would like to share any resources, please submit it below or contact your coach. ​

​Sheway - Food Services

Hot Meal Availability
  • Customers can get a hot meal by going to the Sheway drop-in.
  • Lunch options typically include salads, proteins, fruits, vegetables, as well as tea, coffee, and juice.
  • Lunch is available from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Monday through Friday (Except holidays)
Sheway Food Assistance
  • Customers of Sheway who are expecting can receive food bags once a week
  • Emergency food packages are provided if available
  • include a dozen eggs every other week, a bag of fresh fruit, a block of cheese every month, and a weekly supply of milk
Community Kitchen

  • Offers the opportunity to cook alongside staff and other clients
  • Try out different kinds of cuisine
  • Learn the skills required to prepare healthy meals on a budget
  • Learn the necessary skills to cook nutritious meals that can then be taken home
  • Community Kitchen is held on Wednesdays from 2pm-4:30pm
PROVIDER PROFILE
Email :
sheway.sheway@vch.ca
Phone Number :
604-216-1699
LOCATION
533 E Hastings St

​AFDS - Food Bank

Assistance to People in Need
  • Community partner with the Greater Vancouver Food Bank
  • Assisting people in need in the Downtown East Side
AFDS Food Bank
  • Food is provided to residents of the DTES through the AFDS Food Bank
  • Provide wholesome cuisine in a courteous and respectable setting
  • Duty to refer clients to other neighborhood services to promote independence
Funding and Contributions
  • AFDS Food Bank is a non-profit charity
  • Relies on donations of both money and food to stay operational
  • Contributions come from private citizens, groups, and businesses
  • Also gain from different fundraising initiatives
  • Currently, this initiative is administered entirely by volunteers
  • No fundamental government funding is received.
PROVIDER PROFILE
Email :
info@abfrontdoor.org
Phone Number :
604-697-5662
LOCATION
384 Main St

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
PROVIDER PROFILE
Hours of operation :
Breakfast 10am - 12pm, Lunch 11am - 3pm, Dinner 3pm - 5:50pm
Email :
evelynesallercentre@vancouver.ca
Phone Number :
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
Access to Healthy Meals
  • Aim to provide clients access to healthy, affordable meals
  • In a respectful and welcoming setting
Collaboration with Community Partners
  • Collaborate with neighbourhood community resource partners
Focus on Transitioning
  • Help people make the transition from reliance to independence
PROVIDER PROFILE
Hours of Operation:
Monday – Friday: 9am – 5:45pm
Saturday: 9am – 3:45pm
Sunday & Holidays: Closed
Email :
info@questoutreach.org
Phone Number :
604-602-0186
604-253-2078
Eligibility :
Individuals facing food security challenges in British Columbia
LOCATION
2020 Dundas St
711 E. Hastings

​Community Lunch Mount Pleasant Neighborhood House

Community lunches happen every Friday from 12:00 PM – 1:45. Join us for amazing food, and great company!
CONTACT
Phone: 604.879.8208
info@mpnh.org
LOCATION
800 East Broadway
COST
Cost: $20 for 5 lunches

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

​Food Asset 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
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.

Nates Community Kitchen Club!

  • Nates Community Kitchen Club!
    • For Vancouver residents with lived/living experience of mental health and/or substance use
  • Learn new food prep skills
    • Save on food costs
    • Socialize and meet new people
  • Kiwassa House location and schedule
    • 2425 Oxford St, Vancouver, BC V5K 1M7
    • Tuesdays: May 9, 16, 23, 30, June 6, 13
    • 2:30pm-5:30pm (subject to change)
  • Cooking lessons include:
    • Bagels & Butter
    • Cheese and Keto Crackers
    • Kefir
    • Canning: Salsa and Jam
    • Sourdough Bread
    • Onigiri
  • Sponsors and funding
    • Vancouver Coastal Health
    • Consumer Initiative Fund
  • Registration details

​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 at 604-736-3588 ext. 128, or by email: patriciap@kitshouse.org

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 12:00-12:30
  • 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, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
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Monthly Community Potlucks
  • Take place the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m.
  • Location: Living Room (at Kits House, 2305 West 7th Ave)
  • Everyone is welcome, and it is preferred to bring a vegetarian dish to share
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.

Community Lunches @ 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
  • Tuesdays and Thursdays
  • Included in the cost of lunch :
    • Delicious homemade main course
    • Soup or salad
    • Dessert
    • Coffee/tea
Wednesday Lunches
  • Pay-what-you-can soup and sandwiches
  • Coffee/tea
  • Sign up for the e-newsletter to receive the menu
  • E-newsletter can be found on the website or sign up in person at the front desk​

You can also call our front desk at 604-683-2554 for the menu.

When: Mondays/Wednesdays/Fridays 11:30am-1:00pm,
            

Cost: Monday $3, Wednesday/Friday $6

For more information please contact our front desk welcome@gordonhouse.org or 604-683-2554.

'In Pleasant Company' Lunch

When:  Every Friday at 12pm
Where: Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House;
​             800 East Broadway
Cost:    $ 4

Every Friday, join others for a nutritions lunch of soup and salad or a chef's surprise.

Call 604-879-8208 for more info.

Don't live near Mount Pleasant? Check the neighbourhood house closest to you!  Many have free or low-cost community meals like the others featured on this page.

Warm Plates @ Britannia ​ 

WARM PLATES
  • A collective setting for food preparation, focusing on food recovery, healthy food provision, and eating for Grandview Woodland residents at Britannia Community Centre
  • Goals:
    • Promotes inclusion and support isolated community members
    • Educates on healthy food preparation and practices
    • Eradicates food waste
    • Connects between generations
    • Mobilizes community volunteerism via the act of creating engaging and spirited participation
Meals provision
  • WARM PLATES creates an abundance of nutritious meals for participants to take home
  • Possible delivery to elders in the area with limited mobility
Accessibility

  • Fully subsidized
  • open to individuals who are struggling financially as well as being diabetic or at risk of diabetes -Donations accepted -Registration for child-minding is separate -Space is limited

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For more information contact Britannia Food Security @ 604-718-5895

Good and Cheap 

Leanne Brown's Book
  • Designed to create satisfying food that doesn’t require supplementing meals with cheap carbohydrates to stave off hunger
  • Recipes in the book are about eating well on $4/ day
Eating on a limited budget

  • Not easy
  • 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: