WECAN

Wecan Food Basket Society of Alberta

Some Alberta Food Banks have food coops running in their community, such as Sherwood Park, Leduc, Wetaskiwin, Draton Valley, St. Albert, and Parkland. Food Co-ops provide an alternative to Food Banks for lower income individuals because it allows them to buy nutritious food at low cost.

HOW IT WORKS

Anyone can join the Food Basket. Participants pay $5.00 per year. These funds are used to help cover the cost of delivering the food.

The food basket orders contain only fresh meat and produce. A member may order meat only for $12.00; produce only for $8.00 or a combined order for $20.00. A meat order contains 3 varieties of meat. A produce order contains 3 types of fruit; 2–3 vegetables and potatoes. Many families purchase 2 or more orders.

The members pay for the order in advance i.e. the money is due the first Friday of each month. This is collected by the depot coordinator. The coordinator is a volunteer or agency staff member who oversees the operation of the depot.

Monthly buying meetings are held to determine the contents of the food order, taking into consideration the “best buys”, membership preference, variety, etc. Seven percent of the total cost of the order is used to cover administrative and delivery costs.

The groceries are purchased in bulk from a grocery wholesaler. Volunteer drivers deliver the bulk groceries to the depots. Volunteers then sort the groceries into the orders. Some depots offer extra sales or specials for their members to purchase.

The depot days are always scheduled for the third Thursday or third Friday of the month.

Members must pick up their orders before closing time. Orders that are not picked up may be sold to other members along with any surplus food.

WECAN CONTACT

Ph: (780) 413–4525
Fx: (780) 431–0291
E: info@wecanfood.com
www.wecanfood.com