Food Supports
The Bow Valley Food Alliance works with an amazing network of organizations and people that offer food support services across the Bow Valley. We have compiled them all here and work hard to keep the information up to date, but please don’t hesitate to reach out with any additions, changes, or updates to the information below at communications@bvfa.ca.
Important note: Availability and operating hours may vary slightly from the information below, so please contact each one directly for more details.
Do you speak another language? Click on the language of your choice below to learn more about the food supports available in the Bow Valley. Please note that the translated food supports are more difficult to keep updated due to translation requirements. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us for more information.
If you have an urgent need you can contact the following :
Canmore: at fcssadmin@canmore.ca or call 403-609-3743 to access an emergency food hamper.
Banff: help@banff.ca or 403-762-1251
Lake Louise: info@improvementdistrict9.ca
MD of Bighorn: 403-673-3611
Dial 211 for 24/7 access to community and social supports information. Alberta 211 is a free helpline with service in over 150 languages.
Holiday Food Supports 2024
We're collecting all the amazing Holiday Food Supports happening around the Bow Valley over the holidays to create one central resource for food-related supports throughout the festive season. Click through the events below for more information!
We need YOUR help! If you are hosting or know about food-related events during the holidays, be sure to let us know about it - even better if it's a low-cost entry or free event! DM us here or email us the details and an event poster to communications@bvfa.ca!
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🎄 Date: December 1st, 8th, or 22nd
🎄 Time: 1:30 PM to 4:45 PM
🎄 Location: The Co+Kitchen (109B, 306 Bow Valley Trail, Canmore)
🎄 Price: $65 per participant, plus GST
Join us for a magical afternoon of holiday baking! Participants will delight in decorating gingerbread house, along with making festive cookies and ornaments. Please note that, for this event, we are unable to accommodate gluten-free options.
After the workshop, children will enjoy a snack break with a selection of squares, sausage rolls, croissants, and hot chocolate—all included! This festive treat time is perfect before heading to the Christmas train lineup. We’ll ensure there’s plenty of time to pack up all the creations so everyone can take their holiday goodies home.
Please spread the word to meet the minimum of 10 people to create this festive event.
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We have an overstock of bread and sandwich items in the kitchen, and I’m happy to donate them for any occasion this holiday season. Please help spread the word!
Due to limited staff, the best way to distribute these items would be as a "make-your-own" sandwich station. However, if the organization or group can assist in assembling the sandwiches, that would be greatly appreciated!
Here are the items we currently have available:
Bread: Ciabatta, Pretzels
Sandwich meats: Pastrami, Turkey
Condiments: Pickles, Cranberry sauce, and more
Please reach out to Yuka at admin@cokitchen.ca for more information!
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Applications for the 2024 Santas Anonymous program are open for Banff and Lake Louise residents aged 60 years and older who are members of the Banff Access Program or the ID9 Access Program.
Applications are available for pick up and drop off at the Community Services desk at the Town of Banff between November 21 and December 5.
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Join the Annual Banff Santas Anonymous Fundraiser at Mel’s featuring live music, 50/50 draws, live & silent auctions, and lots more!
All funds raised by Santas Anonymous support Banff and Lake Louise seniors in need and Defending Awesome’s Holiday Hamper Program.To donate an item for the auction or to help out as a volunteer, please reach out via email: santasanonymousbll@gmail.com
Find out more about the event here!
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Defending Awesome with help from local community partners and individuals donors are caring for our community by offering a Free Holiday Hamper. This will be their 5th year with this program!
Distribution day will be held on Thursday, December 19, 2024 at Defending Awesome inside 220 Bear Street Mall.
Holiday Hampers are for those who meet the following:
Individuals/Families on the Banff Access Program.
Open to individuals and families experiencing food insecurity during the holiday season.
Loss of job, reduced or inconsistent work hours over the holidays.
Difficulty meeting basic needs, such as food and shelter.
Designed to support those in our community who could benefit from additional assistance this holiday season.
Currently this program is only offered to residents in the Town of Banff.
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Everyone is welcome. Let's sing holiday songs, make crafts and feast together.
Intergenerational crafting session starts at 10.30 a.m.
Please register to attend crafting: Dani.Roussy@banff.ca
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Join other local young adults in this holiday dinner prepared by Mountain Fire Foods. Free to register!
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Join Defending Awesome and Banff Food and Friends at the St. George in the Pines Church on Monday, December 23 from 5:00 - 7:00 PM for a community Christmas Dinner!
Dinner is provided FREE of charge
Donations appreciated but not required
Everyone is welcome!
Take Out? Please bring a container
First come, first served while supplies last
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Please check below for holiday closures of our regular Food Supports:
Dec 24: Banff Food Bank, Soups On
Dec 25: Community Table Lunch
Dec 31: Banff Food Bank, Soups On
Jan 1: Community Table Lunch
Please check back regularly for updates on Food Support closures!
Bow Valley Area Supports
Bow Valley Good Food Box
The Bow Valley Good Food Box is a way for local residents to access affordable fruits and vegetables. Pick up locations are Canmore, Banff, Exshaw, Kananaskis, and Lake Louise. Each box costs $30 and a subsidized $25 option is also available. If cost is a barrier, please email to discuss options.
Mountain Fire Foods
Mountain Fire Foods has partnered with the Bow Valley Food Bank to provide free weekly meals to those in need. Available to Canmore, Exshaw, Dead Man’s Flats, and Mini Thni residents.
To receive a meal, please email your name, address, and the number of meals you need with the subject line ‘Community Meals’.
“Loved the eggplant! Had never tried it before and now it’s on our list every week to buy!”
Mini Thni Food Supports
Iyahrhe Nakoda Food Bank Society
Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 12 pm and 1 - 4:30 pm
Provides the Stoney Nakoda community members of the Bearspaw, Chiniki, and Wesley bands in Mini Thni with a nutritious and wholesome emergency food hamper program.
Stoney Community Health Centre
Thursdays, 12 - 3 pm
Provide a variety of food services and programs to the Stoney Nakoda First Nation community members of the Bearspaw, Chiniki, and Wesley bands in Mini Thni. For more information on accessing food supports, please email or call 403-803-7601.
“These boxes are so amazing and just packed full of healthy and delicious stuff. Thank you so much for providing this wonderful service to our community!”
Banff Food Supports
Banff Food Bank
*Reopening October 2024
Tuesdays
11:45 am - 12:15 pm
Banff Park Church,
455 Cougar St
Offers emergency food hampers. Those in need can collect a hamper once a month up to six times a year. ID and registration required. Closed in July and August. Offers emergency food hampers.
Banff Food Rescue
Mon & Fri, 6 - 7 pm
A volunteer-led organization that collects food from grocery stores and other retailers to help stop good food from becoming food waste.
Suggested donation of $10, e-transfers accepted.
Soups On
*Reopening October 2024
Tuesdays, 11 am - 1 pm
Banff Park Church,
455 Cougar St
A free bowl of homemade style hearty soup and bun
Banff Food & Friends
Mondays, 5 - 7 pm
St. Georges in the Pines,
100 Beaver St.
Community Food and Friend Dinners offer a safe place for people from all segments of society to come together every monday eveing to enjoy the pleasure of a free, attractive, nutritious meal with friends and neighbours.
Community Table Lunch
Wednesdays, 12 - 1 pm
Catharine Robb Whyte Building, 101 Bear St
Every Wednesday between 12-1pm come meet your neighbours, learn about local resources and connect with community again. Enjoy homemade style soup, salad, garlic toast, and tea or coffee. Suggested donation $3.
Filipino Organization in the Rocky Mountains (FORM)
Provide culturally-appropriate food hampers with priority given to large families, single parents, individuals and families in isolation, and those waiting on government supports. Please email or call 403-497-4483 to access a food hamper.
Free Little Pantry and Library of Things
Weekdays, 10 am - 6 pm
Weekends, 11 am - 5 pm
Banff Public Library, 101 Bear St
The Free Little Pantry is a community supported initiative by the Banff Public Library and Banff Food Rescue. Canned and packaged food items are available for those in need.
Residents can also borrow a variety of items from the Library of Things at the Banff Public Library. Items include tools and cooking appliances. Free for all Banff residents with a valid library membership.
“Such a great idea! I love that I can borrow items when I need them. It saves me from having to buy expensive cooking appliances I won’t use often.”
Canmore Food Supports
Bow Valley Food Bank (BVFB)
Tuesdays, 12 - 1 pm and 6 - 7 pm
Thursdays, 6 - 7 pm
Offers emergency food hampers to those in need. Call 403-678-9488 on Monday or Wednesday between 6 - 7 pm to arrange.
Canmore Food and Friends
Mondays, 5 - 7 pm
St. Michael's Anglican Church, 709 7 St
Dine in or please bring your own container for take out, if possible.
Canmore Food Recovery Barn
Tues/Thurs, 5:30 - 6:30 pm
Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, 1205 1st Ave
An initiative to recover edible food waste and provide it to people within the community. Suggested donation of $5.
Meals on Wheels
Weekdays at lunchtime
Meals on Wheels provides hot, nutritious, and affordable meals to those unable to prepare meals for themselves. Meals are delivered weekdays at lunchtime and cost $6.00/meal. Please contact Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) via email or call at 403-609-3743 for more information.
“And THANK YOU SO MUCH for thinking of us and loving us. Looking to do volunteer work in the community in coming days ”