Regina Food Bank CEO gives update on new food hub

The Regina Food Bank is preparing to open a second location in the city now that it has officially purchased the former liquor store on Broad Street.

Regina Food Bank CEO John Bailey told the Greg Morgan Morning Show on Monday the new food hub is still in the design phase.

“Not only are we taking the concept of choice in a grocery store model, but we’re also making sure that we’re seeing the voice of the folks we serve (and) making sure that it’s a comfortable and welcoming place for them,” Bailey said. “We’re looking at being in the design phase for the next few weeks.”

Bailey noted the work won’t involve a complete rebuild of the old building, but rather taking the existing shell and making it the food bank’s own.

“If our contractors … get things lined up, (we’ll be) able to start working,” he said. “It’s an exciting process and we’re ready to get rolling. We just want to make sure we’re planning it right because that’s where hiccups start to happen if you rush to get started.”

Bailey said the food bank wants to show that Saskatchewan feeds communities.

“Whether that be locally sourced products or folks coming in and doing things like learning new skills and gaining empowerment to stop their dependency on places like the food bank,” Bailey said.

“When you think about (the new facility), think less (of) the food bank as it is now and more like a version of a grocery store where folks can come in and pick the food they want and, quite frankly, say no to the food they don’t want, which is another important piece.”

He noted other community groups will be welcome to bring their programming to the new space so the food bank can create a “hub of activity.”

“It’s going to be an augmentation of what we’re doing (currently). We’re going to continue working out of Winnipeg Street,” Bailey said, referring to the food bank’s other location. “Our drive-thru and our delivery will go out of there.”

He said people will still be able to go the Winnipeg Street location after the new food hub is built.

As for the current situation at the food bank, Bailey said that thanks to people’s donations, officials have been able to keep up with the ever-increasing demand.

“We’re getting some significant support from corporate and from different places,” he added. “We recently had a farmer donate basically a third of his total yield in peas, which we’re going to turn into soups and dried peas and all that kind of stuff.

“It’s a really healthy mix and really representative of our province where folks are seeing a need, stepping up to the plate and supporting each other.”