Seed Bank
The ‘roots’ of food security
About the Seed Bank
EFB’s Seed Bank is a free program that provides seeds to low-income Edmontonians to grow vegetables and herbs at home, work, school, or in community gardens. Inspired by past community seed initiatives like the Edmonton Public Library’s program, we saw an opportunity to create a sustainable seed-sharing model.
Seeds are free for clients and partners, because growing your own food is a meaningful step towards a food-secure community. Our mission is to give more than food for a day; we give the power to grow it for a season.
Food security starts with a single seed!
How it works
A sustainable cycle
Retailers are asked to cull unsold seeds and instead of waste, we can use them for next year’s garden
Collection of unsold materials
At the end of the growing season, we rescue unsold seeds, soil, trays, and tools from local retailers. Instead of letting these items go to the landfill, we store them over the winter and distribute them the following spring to low-income Edmontonians, schools, community gardens, and local agency partners. It’s the ultimate full-circle moment: turning retail leftovers into backyard abundance
Harvest Collection
Have too much produce at time of harvest? Consider donating your extra vegetables to us! Due to the sensitive nature of fresh produce, these donations must be made at our main warehouse (11508 120 ST, NW, Edmonton). Thank you!
Seed Donation
Do You Have Extra Seeds? We would love to add them to our collection! Donated seeds help more community members grow their own food and achieve food security
Seed Distribution
Seeds are available early in the year for clients and partners who want to start seedlings indoors. Seeds remain available throughout the growing season. Please contact our Seed Bank Team for more information
Our Impact by the Numbers
Thanks to this sustainable model, in 2025 we …
Vegetable seed packages and growing tools
Saved from the landfill
130+ kg
We diverted more than 130 kilograms (300+ lbs) of seed packages, soil, fertilizer, and equipment from landfills
Distributed
Seed packages
8,000
We provided over 8,000 seed packages to support local gardens with their food security initiatives in Edmonton
Community Partners
Community leagues and organizations
50 +
We shared seeds with more than 50 other community organizations to broaden our reach
EPSB Partnership
Seed packages donated
500
We provided 500 seed packages to launch the Student Seed Bank with Edmonton Public Schools
“We aren’t just distributing seeds; we’re distributing self-reliance. Because the most sustainable way to fight hunger is to let the community grow their own way out of it.”
Retail Food Specialist
Melissa
Seed Bank Team
Judy Yawney
P: 780.425.2133 ext. 230
E: foodhub@edmontonsfoodbank.com
OR
Susan Padget
P: 780.425.2133 ext. 111
E: susan.p@edmontonsfoodbank.com