Nourishing Through The Food Rescue Program
Discover how Alexandra Neighbourhood House transforms surplus produce into nourishing meals for youth and empowers them through hands-on cooking sessions that build skills, confidence, and community.
At Alex House, our Food Rescue program, generously supported by Nature's Fare, plays a key role in supporting both our community and our drop-in youth program. Each week, we receive between 3 to 6 boxes of fresh fruits and vegetables, including apples, bananas, kiwis, strawberries, blueberries, plums, potatoes, beets, sweet potatoes, radishes, limes, and lemons. The variety changes weekly, depending on the surplus available. This fresh produce is transformed into warm meals and nourishing snacks for the over 100 youth who participate in our drop-in sessions throughout the school week.
The impact of this program extends beyond meals. As part of our drop-in sessions, we host 1 to 2 youth cooking activities each week, where participants learn essential culinary skills, experiment with recipes, and share their food traditions. Guided by our dedicated youth worker team, these hands-on sessions teach youth how to bake cupcakes, muffins, cakes, and bread, including Challah bread, while also preparing simple yet nourishing meals such as pasta, soups, and potato dishes.
Any produce that cannot be used directly in our cooking program is made available in our foyer for families in the community. On average, 4 to 8 families visit weekly during designated hours to collect produce, fostering a sense of community support and connection. Over time, we have built relationships with many of these families, who often express how access to fresh produce helps them provide healthier meals at home.
The cooking program not only equips youth with practical life skills but also encourages creativity, teamwork, and self-expression. Youth-led sessions introduce peers to dishes like sushi, pizza, pancakes, and French toast, creating opportunities for cultural exchange and collaboration. The pride and confidence that grows when youth lead or assist in these activities reflects the deeper impact of our programs—nourishing the body, building confidence, and strengthening community ties.
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