A new partnership has been forged between Vancouver Airport Authority and Quest Food Exchange to benefit low-income individuals and families, the environment and the airport community.
Quest Food Exchange is a registered charity that rescues food and other goods from being sent to the landfill and re-distributes it to benefit the community. Working with hundreds of social service agencies, this innovative approach to rescuing food and reducing hunger involves collecting and distributing quality food – overstock, mis-labelled or near-expired products that would otherwise go to waste — and redirecting it to those in need. In 2009, Quest reclaimed more than $5 million worth of surplus food and diverted 1,680 tonnes of food away from the landfill.
By diverting food from the landfill and composting what can no longer be consumed, Quest contributes to a healthier, greener environment while alleviating hunger, encouraging self-sufficiency and building community. In addition to providing access to nutritious food, Quest assists with meal planning, budgeting and job development skills.
YVR's airport community was quick to support Quest. in 2010, the Hudson Group at YVR partnered with the charity and donated 2,500 lbs of food valued at more than $60,000 – food that otherwise would have been composted or sent to the landfill. Quest Food Exchange also benefited from fundraising efforts of 30 airport tenants and business partners who sponsored the Christmas tree decorating in the terminal by local school children. A total of $8,400 was raised and 750 non-perishable food items were generously donated by the school children.
This new partnership was inspired by a recommendation from Vancouver Airport Authority’s Green Team, a group of employees that look for ways to improve the airport’s impact on the environment. The Airport Authority has been working with Quest and its business partners to build a sustainable program that benefits all involved. Contributors receive a tax receipt for their donations which acts as an added incentive to get involved.
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