Food Security – Fairfield Gonzales Community Association

FGCA Food Security Programs

The Fairfield Gonzales Community Association has developed several new Food Security programs to help individuals and families get good food on the table in these challenging times.

Having access to good food is a basic right. We are committed to meeting your immediate needs with healthy, nutritious food. Our team will welcome you without judgement or intrusive questions, trusting that if you contact us, it is because you need this support right now.

Email Virginie at event@fairfieldcommunity.ca to learn more about our Food Security Programs and to sign up for the ones that suit your needs:

Food Rescue: surplus frozen food from grocery distributors (berries, french fries, veggies etc) that is soon to expire, usually about a month left till expiry date. Available for pick up every Tuesday afternoon
Community Dinners: home-cooked and healthy meals for every member of your household, Available for delivery every second Friday evening. To know right away when we are accepting requests for the next community dinner, sign up to receive our e-newsletter

We are also looking for volunteers to help out. If you would like to pick-up, sort, deliver food, or promote our programs, contact us

Free Food

Good Food Box ~ Rapid Relief In response to the current COVID-19 pandemic, Fernwood NRG is launching a new program to provide fresh food to anyone experiencing heightened food insecurity at this time. Anyone experiencing food insecurity can apply to receive a Large Good Food Box every two weeks for the next four months free of charge.

Share the Goods The program allows volunteers who want to “purchase online groceries or gift cards at grocery stores” on a one time basis for people who are isolated and /or experiencing financial difficulties.

Red Cedar Cafe is a not-for-profit food delivery and take-out service, run on a 100% volunteer basis to provide healthy meals free of charge to seniors, people in self-isolation and other people in need in Lekwungen and W̱SÁNEĆ territory (Victoria, BC). Order free, healthy meals from the Red Cedar Café, delivered frozen to your home or available for pick up during specified hours at the kitchen / take-out window.

Living Edge Living Edge has been freely providing groceries on a weekly basis in the Quadra Village neighbourhood. Free food markets to serve Victoria’s most vulnerable. Neighbourhood markets open until further notice.

Mustard Seed 625 Queens Ave. The Food Bank is providing emergency food in pre-made hampers Monday-Friday 10AM-1PM. Lunch: Bagged lunches will be served Monday-Friday 12PM-1PM. Dinners: Take out dinners will be served Friday and Saturday from 6PM until 8PM. Want to donate call 250-953-1581 or click here to donate online.

Local Produce

Good Food Box Fairfield Community Place is a pick-up point. . Good Food Box is a non-profit alternative fruit and vegetable distribution system available for pick-up or delivery every Wednesday. Place an order online.

Moss Street Market Outdoor Market is open Saturdays 10am to 1pm. Check out the Moss Street Market Online Store offering both delivery and pick up options.

Growing your own food

My FED Farm Supports families and laid off workers by providing home-based start up food gardens using simple and affordable supplies. Garden Intake form

Topsoil micro-garden delivery Bringing food production to your patio, inviting the community get your very own edible micro-garden. For a fee, Topsoil gets your micro-garden growing and delivers the containers to your door & you get to harvest fresh vegetables.

Young Agrarians They are a very active national organization connecting and educating growers

Collaborative Gardening for Food Security Local mutual aid facebook group for sharing resources related to growing, preserving, and sourcing local food.

City of Victoria – free leaf mulch and compost program Get your home garden off to a healthy start with free leaf mulch and compost from the City. Leaf mulch and compost produced at the Parks yard in Beacon Hill Park will be dropped off at four community locations for pick-up from May 8-14, 2020. This program is open to all Victoria residents. Please bring your own container and shovel. In order to abide by COVID-19 safety standards of physical distancing, registration to pick-up garden materials is required. If you are unwell or experiencing symptoms, please stay home.

Get Growing, Victoria! The City of Victoria is collaborating with community partners and non-profit organizations to provide vegetable and herb seedlings to those who need help most. This program will provide a selection of the top 15 vegetable and herb starts for easy growing by the novice gardener, and suitable for a variety of locations, such as garden beds in yards or container gardening on decks and balconies. The project supports communities in need first. Priority is being given to people who are financially or physically impacted by the pandemic and that have a desire to grow food but may have limited access to plants and garden materials, or are facing barriers to access fresh, locally grown food. Eligibility criteria includes, but is not limited to, those who have experienced loss of work, are immunocompromised, are on disability, are seniors, and/or self-identify as food insecure.