Regina’s new food hub, food bank receive $1M donation from Mosaic

A $1-million investment could go a long way for the Regina Food Bank.

The food bank announced Thursday it was receiving $1 million over five years from The Mosaic Company, a contribution the food bank called “monumental.”

CEO John Bailey said the investment shows support for the food bank’s planned Community Food Hub, which is going into a former liquor store location on Broad Street at 12th Avenue.

“What the Regina Food Bank is looking to do is move to a model in which the folks we serve have the choice of the products they get,” Bailey said at a media event.

A media release described the Hub as “Canada’s first at-scale choice model” and the Regina Food Bank hopes to blaze a trail for other food banks across the nation.

Bailey said the choice afforded to people using the food bank helps prevent them from being burdened with things they can’t use in pre-made hampers, whether because of dietary choice, religious requirements or even preference.

“The folks we serve know that there’s a finite supply so if they’re getting something they can’t use, they inherently understand that that’s something that somebody else can’t use,” he said.

He also added that the choice model allows the food bank to be more sustainable with its money.

“We know when we go out to purchase food, we’re purchasing food that people want and can use as opposed to us sort of basing it on making sure we have a balance within the Canada Food Guide – which is sort of our approach right now,” Bailey said.

Regina Mayor Sandra Masters said the choice model shows how innovative the city can be.

“I can’t help but think that every food bank across this country would want to model after that,” she said.

“I think in general Canadians support food banks across this country. On a per-capita basis, I would challenge (them) to match what Regina can pull off.”

Bruce Bodine, the president and CEO of The Mosaic Company, also praised the choice model, saying it provided more dignity and empowerment to those using the food bank.

“To be able to actually ‘shop’ for what you need and what your dietary needs are is quite empowering and (uplifting) for those that are in need the most,” Bodine said.

The Hub is currently under construction and is expected to launch in early summer.

The food bank will continue to use its Winnipeg Street location even after the Community Hub is complete.