Questions
- How do I get a food hamper?
- How long will my food hamper last?
- What should I expect when I phone?
- How do I collect my food hamper?
- How does it work if I request a food hamper online?
- What will be in my food hamper?
- What does "best before" mean?
- How do I know if the eggs in my food hamper are fresh?
- My food is expired?!
- When will I get my food hamper?
Answer
-
Please call 780.425.4190 (Monday to Friday between 8:30 am and 4:00 pm) to speak confidentially with a client services team member.
-
The food from the hamper should last a few days, depending on your household size and any other food you already have in your cupboards. We provide food hampers to help with short-term needs.
The Food Bank is not meant to supplement income.
We encourage you to also explore low-cost food options such as the WECAN Food Basket Society of Alberta, join community kitchens, shop at discount grocery stores, track coupons and sales to name a few.
-
Your call will be answered by a client services team member. This volunteer/staff member will ask you questions to gather information to best serve you.
For example, “What is your current address?” will help us locate your nearest food depot. Rest assured, your personal information is kept confidential. You will also be asked to provide a piece of identification (e.g. health care card, government issued ID, etc.) for yourself and each person in your household.
If you are experiencing issues beyond food, our client services team member may be able to refer you to other support services to help.
-
In most situations, food hampers are built at the main Food Bank warehouse and delivered to your community food depot. There are depots in neighbourhoods throughout Edmonton located mostly in churches and community centres. Volunteers at the depot will greet you, ask for your identification (and identification for each person in your household), and give you your hamper.
Please remember to bring a cart, buggy, wagon, suitcase with wheels, or other means to transport your food. Food hampers are based on your family size which means there may be multiple boxes to take home (i.e. about 10 kilograms of food per person).
Please be prepared to transport your box(es) of food OR repackage the food into your own grocery bags to take home.
-
You must apply using your unique application link. This link is sent to your email. If you no longer have it, you can use the link in your most recent booking confirmation email, or email us with your full name and date of birth to request it again. The link is specific to you and should not be shared.
When completing the form, you will be asked to confirm whether your address or household information has changed. The form will display the address we currently have on file. If there are no changes, you will simply confirm your phone number and email address, then select: the times of day you are available, whether you have access to a vehicle, and whether you are able to travel outside your neighbourhood.
There is a section to include special requests. While we do our best to accommodate requests, they cannot be guaranteed. If you need a specific location, please indicate it in this section.
After you submit the form, you will receive a response from us the next business day.
Applications are processed in the order they are received. Submitting earlier in the day increases the likelihood that a suitable location will still be available.
If a location is available that matches your information, we will book you and notify you by email. If not, we will advise you to reapply or call us for further assistance.
-
A hamper includes fresh and nonperishable items such as milk, eggs, bread, fruit, vegetables, yogurt, pasta, canned meat, and soup. The items in your food hamper vary as they have been gleaned (i.e. salvaged), donated, or purchased by Edmonton's Food Bank. We do our best to follow Canada’s Food Guide to provide clients with healthy variety of food in their hamper.
If you have specific dietary needs such as those with diabetes or celiac disease, or if you require other items such as diapers, baby formula or pet food, please tell the client services team member helping you and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.
-
The majority of food has a Best Before Date which is NOT an expiration date. For most food, the Best Before Date is used for rotating food or is a "best quality before date".
Feel free to contact us if you have concerns or questions about the quality of your food hamper.
Best before dates are not an indicator of food safety. A “best before” date is set by the manufacturer and is about best quality or freshness and is used for inventory purposes.
We accept food within a year of its best before date and follow guidelines from Food Banks Canada and Alberta Health Services regarding food safety.
Products with expiry dates include baby food, baby/infant formula, adult liquid meal supplements (i.e. Boost, Ensure, Glucerna, Resource, etc.), and fresh meat. We do not accept food that has expired.
More information can be found at:
-
Edmonton's Food Bank bulk purchases fresh eggs for our food hampers and delivers them weekly.
Some partners repackage eggs in gently used egg cartons and the date is stamped on the inside of the lid.
If you are still concerned, to check if an egg is good, simply place it in a bowl of water. If the egg sinks, the egg is okay to eat. And remember, an older egg can still be used in baking instead of as a meal.
-
Best Before Dates, Packaged On Dates and Expiration Dates are very different. The majority of our food has a Best Before Date which can be thought of as "best quality before date". Please refer to what does “best before” mean? For detailed explanation.
Feel free to contact us if you have concerns or questions about the quality of your food hamper.
-
We are booking roughly one week in advance.
FAQs
How do I get a food hamper?
Please call 780.425.4190 (Monday to Friday between 8:30 am and 4:00 pm) to speak confidentially with a client services team member.
How long will my food hamper last?
The food from the hamper should last a few days, depending on your household size and any other food you already have in your cupboards. We provide food hampers to help with short-term needs.
The Food Bank is not meant to supplement income.
We encourage you to also explore low-cost food options such as the WECAN Food Basket Society of Alberta, join community kitchens, shop at discount grocery stores, track coupons and sales to name a few.
What should I expect when I phone?
Your call will be answered by a client services team member. This volunteer/staff member will ask you questions to gather information to best serve you.
For example, “What is your current address?” will help us locate your nearest food depot. Rest assured, your personal information is kept confidential. You will also be asked to provide a piece of identification (e.g. health care card, government issued ID, etc.) for yourself and each person in your household.
If you are experiencing issues beyond food, our client services team member may be able to refer you to other support services to help.
How do I collect my food hamper?
In most situations, food hampers are built at the main Food Bank warehouse and delivered to your community food depot. There are depots in neighbourhoods throughout Edmonton located mostly in churches and community centres. Volunteers at the depot will greet you, ask for your identification (and identification for each person in your household), and give you your hamper.
Please remember to bring a cart, buggy, wagon, suitcase with wheels, or other means to transport your food. Food hampers are based on your family size which means there may be multiple boxes to take home (i.e. about 10 kilograms of food per person).
Please be prepared to transport your box(es) of food OR repackage the food into your own grocery bags to take home.
How does it work if I request a food hamper online?
You must apply using your unique application link. This link is sent to your email. If you no longer have it, you can use the link in your most recent booking confirmation email, or email us with your full name and date of birth to request it again. The link is specific to you and should not be shared.
When completing the form, you will be asked to confirm whether your address or household information has changed. The form will display the address we currently have on file. If there are no changes, you will simply confirm your phone number and email address, then select: the times of day you are available, whether you have access to a vehicle, and whether you are able to travel outside your neighbourhood.
There is a section to include special requests. While we do our best to accommodate requests, they cannot be guaranteed. If you need a specific location, please indicate it in this section.
After you submit the form, you will receive a response from us the next business day.
Applications are processed in the order they are received. Submitting earlier in the day increases the likelihood that a suitable location will still be available.
If a location is available that matches your information, we will book you and notify you by email. If not, we will advise you to reapply or call us for further assistance.
What will be in my food hamper?
A hamper includes fresh and nonperishable items such as milk, eggs, bread, fruit, vegetables, yogurt, pasta, canned meat, and soup. The items in your food hamper vary as they have been gleaned (i.e. salvaged), donated, or purchased by Edmonton's Food Bank. We do our best to follow Canada’s Food Guide to provide clients with healthy variety of food in their hamper.
If you have specific dietary needs such as those with diabetes or celiac disease, or if you require other items such as diapers, baby formula or pet food, please tell the client services team member helping you and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.
What does "best before" mean?
The majority of food has a Best Before Date which is NOT an expiration date. For most food, the Best Before Date is used for rotating food or is a "best quality before date".
Feel free to contact us if you have concerns or questions about the quality of your food hamper.
Best before dates are not an indicator of food safety. A “best before” date is set by the manufacturer and is about best quality or freshness and is used for inventory purposes.
We accept food within a year of its best before date and follow guidelines from Food Banks Canada and Alberta Health Services regarding food safety.
Products with expiry dates include baby food, baby/infant formula, adult liquid meal supplements (i.e. Boost, Ensure, Glucerna, Resource, etc.), and fresh meat. We do not accept food that has expired.
More information can be found at:
How do I know if the eggs in my food hamper are fresh?
Edmonton's Food Bank bulk purchases fresh eggs for our food hampers and delivers them weekly.
Some partners repackage eggs in gently used egg cartons and the date is stamped on the inside of the lid.
If you are still concerned, to check if an egg is good, simply place it in a bowl of water. If the egg sinks, the egg is okay to eat. And remember, an older egg can still be used in baking instead of as a meal.
My food is expired?!
Best Before Dates, Packaged On Dates and Expiration Dates are very different. The majority of our food has a Best Before Date which can be thought of as "best quality before date". Please refer to what does “best before” mean? For detailed explanation.
Feel free to contact us if you have concerns or questions about the quality of your food hamper.
When will I get my food hamper?
We are booking roughly one week in advance.
Beyond Food FAQs
Questions
- Do I need to make an appointment?
- Are the Beyond Food services free?
- Where do I go for my Beyond Food programming (what is your address)?
- What are the hours of operation for Beyond Food?
- Who is eligible for the Beyond Food program and services?
- What should I bring with me?
- What Safety Tickets do you offer?
- Am I guaranteed a paid Safety Ticket?
- Do you help in IQAS or WES to recognize my foreign credentials?
- Are you an employer? Do you offer jobs?
- Can I volunteer to help in the Beyond Food program?
- Do you help in getting or renewing driver’s licence?
Answer
-
Yes, please call 780.425.2133 ext. 228 to book an appointment.
-
YES!
-
Please come to the Edmonton Food Bank ANNEX located at 11434-120 Street, Edmonton, AB. The facility is two doors down from the main Food Bank.
-
Beyond Food operates Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Some services are only offered at certain times and on certain days, please check the schedule of events if there is a particular service you are interested in using while booking your appointment.
-
We are open to everyone. For employment services, you must be over the age of 18 and eligible to work in Canada (i.e. Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or work permit holder).
-
Please bring your resume and Government-issued identification. If you are not Canadian Citizen please bring your P.R. Card or your Work Permit.
-
Please come in to see us - tickets are tailored towards your work goals.
-
NO. To receive a paid safety ticket, participants must first successfully pass the practice exam.
-
IQAS: International Qualification Assessment Service
WES: World Education Services
We are unable to help with these services. Check the following links for more information:
-
We are not an employer nor do we offer jobs. We will show you how to look for a job and help you develop personal tools to keep it.
-
YES! You may fill the application in the following link to become a volunteer with Edmonton's Food Bank:
-
NO, this is outside the scope of our work.
FAQs
Do I need to make an appointment?
Yes, please call 780.425.2133 ext. 228 to book an appointment.
Are the Beyond Food services free?
YES!
Where do I go for my Beyond Food programming (what is your address)?
Please come to the Edmonton Food Bank ANNEX located at 11434-120 Street, Edmonton, AB. The facility is two doors down from the main Food Bank.
What are the hours of operation for Beyond Food?
Beyond Food operates Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Some services are only offered at certain times and on certain days, please check the schedule of events if there is a particular service you are interested in using while booking your appointment.
Who is eligible for the Beyond Food program and services?
We are open to everyone. For employment services, you must be over the age of 18 and eligible to work in Canada (i.e. Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or work permit holder).
What should I bring with me?
Please bring your resume and Government-issued identification. If you are not Canadian Citizen please bring your P.R. Card or your Work Permit.
What Safety Tickets do you offer?
Please come in to see us - tickets are tailored towards your work goals.
Am I guaranteed a paid Safety Ticket?
NO. To receive a paid safety ticket, participants must first successfully pass the practice exam.
Do you help in IQAS or WES to recognize my foreign credentials?
IQAS: International Qualification Assessment Service
WES: World Education Services
We are unable to help with these services. Check the following links for more information:
Are you an employer? Do you offer jobs?
We are not an employer nor do we offer jobs. We will show you how to look for a job and help you develop personal tools to keep it.
Can I volunteer to help in the Beyond Food program?
YES! You may fill the application in the following link to become a volunteer with Edmonton's Food Bank:
Do you help in getting or renewing driver’s licence?
NO, this is outside the scope of our work.
