Calgary Food Bank benefits from Calgary Co-op’s Fresh Food Rescue Program [Video]

Calgary Co-op is unveiling a new charitable program that sees the organization donate thousands of pounds of food to the Calgary Food Bank.

As part of the Calgary Co-op Fresh Food Rescue Program, employees pack up a range of food items that are still fresh but nearing their best before dates and donate them to the Calgary Food Bank for use in the charity’s emergency hampers, which are handed out the same day.

The donations happen five days a week, and include fresh produce, dairy, frozen food, bakery and deli products, meat, and non-perishable grocery items.

The program started as a pilot a few months ago, but Co-op celebrated its official launch on Tuesday.

Officials say it’s currently underway in all 24 of Calgary Co-op food stores, including those in Airdrie, High River and Strathmore, where officials work with local food banks instead of the Calgary Food Bank.

“By safely selecting and …