From July 5-14, over 22,000 visitors stopped by the Second Harvest Food Rescue Experience at the Calgary Stampede to learn more about food rescue and the difference they can make in the fight against food insecurity and climate change. At the end of the event, our team worked with the organizers and Community Kitchen Program of Calgary, the second-largest food bank in Calgary, to rescue over 13,000 pounds of good surplus food.
Demystifying best before dates to reduce food waste
One of the highlights of the Second Harvest Food Rescue Experience was the immersive digital game “Taste or Toss,” which engaged every visitor as they entered the space. This educational game challenged participants to guess how far past best-before dates various food items are still safe to consume and provided them with tangible knowledge to reduce food waste. Its entertaining elements also made retaining the information easier.
We were delighted to see the number of correct answers the participants got and their enthusiasm in supporting our mission in reducing food waste.
Educational gallery and food rescue showcase
Adjacent to the interactive game, the educational gallery provided an in-depth look at the food system and reasons food is lost or wasted along the supply chain through the lifecycle of a tomato from farm to fork. Guests learned about the social and environmental impacts of food waste and Second Harvest’s ongoing efforts to address these critical issues. They also saw first-hand what rescued food could look like: Perfectly edible fruits and vegetables in odd shape that would end up in landfills without the support of our network of donors and partners.
Rescuing surplus food
We ended the Calgary Stampede on a high note with the rescue of 13,010 pounds of surplus food from the event organizers and other food business participants. Through our local partner, Community Kitchen Program of Calgary, the food was then distributed to over 60 non-profit agencies across the city.
Kori Stosky, sustainability specialist at the Calgary Stampede, echoed the sentiment.
“2024 was a successful year for the Stampede in many ways, with one highlight being the ability to give back locally through food donations. Numerous groups, ranging from our Stampede Culinary team, through to midway vendors and local sponsors donated everything from huge beef roasts, to candied apples, heaps of fresh produce and more,” she said. “We are grateful to work with partners like Second Harvest who can expand our reach to the community, support with coordination, and help create positive impact by getting rescuable food to people who need and will benefit from it.”
Yahoo, what an impact!
