Introduction 

Repurposed food is surplus food (including fresh, canned, frozen etc.) that is no longer useful to the commercial sector and is redirected to community food programs. Food distribution organizations (FDOs) operate these community food programs that utilize various distribution methods to serve clients.

Objectives

To identify sources of repurposed food and distribution methods of Vancouver’s North Shore FDOs, and classify types of repurposed food received. 

Methods

An original survey was developed, reviewed, and pilot tested. Participants were recruited through purposive sampling. The online, 18-item questionnaire was self-administered over a two-week period to 27 FDOs. Responses were analyzed using frequency distribution.

Results

Fifteen surveys were returned (55.6% response rate) and twelve analyzed (three respondents did not utilize repurposed food). The two most frequently identified sources of food were retail stores (58%) and fellow FDOs (50%). The most frequently identified types of foods received were grain products, foods high in sugar, fat, and/or sodium, and fruits and vegetables. However, among FDOs that received fruits and vegetables, this type of food accounted for less than 50% of total food. Foods high in sugar, fat, and/or sodium accounted for greater than 75% of food received by 17% of FDOs. 67% of FDOs received inedible food and 58% received food that became inedible before distribution. 92% of FDOs distributed food via on-site meals/snacks.

Conclusions

The results suggest that many North Shore FDOs distributed repurposed food to clients through meals/snacks, but may face challenges with managing perishable repurposed food. Although FDOs received fruits and vegetables, many also received food that became inedible before distribution. Some FDOs received large proportions of foods high in sugar, fat, and/or sodium, which are typically non-perishable. Food repurposing can reduce food waste but further investigation to improve conservation of nutritious, perishable food is warranted.

Significance to Dietetic Practice

Understanding food repurposing practices helps guide policies to better support the transfer of nutritious foods to clients through community food programs in order to improve public health outcomes. These findings can apply to communities across Canada that share an urbanized and relatively concentrated food repurposing system, similar to the North Shore.

A Description of Sources, Types, and Distribution of Repurposed Food on the North Shore