Protein is well known as an important part of a healthy diet, but the cost of fresh, protein-rich foods is often prohibitive for people living in poverty.
The Nelson Food Cupboard recognizes this, and therefore aims to offer people in need of emergency food access to fresh protein at least once a week, in addition to the peanut butter, canned beans and tuna that are regular shelf items.
This is possible due to the ongoing support of the Kootenay Coop Grocery Store, MAZON Canada, the Nelson United Church, Silver- king Soya Foods and generous individuals in the community. Through the direct food donations or grant funding to buy the foods, the Nelson Food Cupboard offers farm fresh eggs and fresh tofu every week to its customers, and fresh meat an additional time every month.
The Kootenay Coop Grocery Store recently donated one per cent of a day’s sales to the Nelson Food Cupboard which resulted in a entire grocery cart filled with cheese, nuts, seeds and dried bean products.
Regular and incidental customers are always very happy to be able to pick up these healthy foods to feed themselves and their families.
An alarming one quarter of the food bank’s customers are children, and their parents voice over and over again their thanks for this service.
If you would like to donate healthy food or money to purchase healthy food to the Nelson Food Cupboard, please call 354-1633 or visit foodcupboard.org.