NAITSA Food Centre

High Need Products

• Canned Vegetables (e.g. Corn, Peas, Carrots, etc.)
• Canned Fruits (e.g. Peaches, Pineapple, Applesauce, etc)
• Powdered Milk
• Peanut Butter
• Rice Products (e.g. Uncle Ben’s Sidekicks)
• Additionally, NAITSA will gladly accept toiletries and hygiene products – razors, toothbrushes, travel size soaps/shampoos, etc.

Please Note: At this time, the Food Centre CANNOT accept perishable food items (produce, non powdered dairy,meat products). Click here to download a list of needed items.

• Pop top cans are preferable to cans requiring a can opener, if possible
• Donations of items such as Chef Boyardee, etc. are wonderful, but they also are only useful for a single meal – items such as those on the above list, however, can be stretched out over meals if need be.
• Although we appreciate all donations, we would ask that donors pay attention to product expiration dates before donating to the NAITSA Food Centre.

Many consumers have concerns around expiry/best before dates on their food products. For the non-perishable items we collect, these dates are no indication of food safety –as long as they are unopened, the products are still perfectly safe to consume without any health risks. ‘Best Before’ dates on non-perishable products are used to indicate optimum freshness – after the indicated date the food may lose some of its freshness and nutritional value, and may have a slightly different texture. However, it will still be safe to consume.

Keeping all that in mind, we here at the NAITSA Food Centre do encourage donors to pay attention to ‘Best Before’ dates on items donated, as we can make better use out of items well within their dates.

More information on the topic can be found at the following links:

• Canadian Food Inspection Agency
• 99percentinvisible.org
• The Globe and Mail
• Global News

The Edmonton Food Bank can provide you with a food hamper that includes perishable food items (produce, meat products, eggs, etc based on what they have) once per month.

Those in need can either call 780-425-4190, or receive a referral from NAITSA (contact foodcentre@nait.ca for more information in this regard).

The Edmonton Food Bank staff will provide you with a location closer to your home. You will need a valid photo ID and bags to carry the food when picking it up.

Wecan is a non-profit group that helps people buy fresh fruit and vegetables and freshly frozen meat for $25.00 a month. Members receive three types of fruit, three types of vegetables, and three types of freshly frozen meat. You do not need to buy a membership or make an order every month. Unfortunately the NAITSA Food Centre is unable to act as a depot at this time, however here is a list of depots.

For more information, please visit WECAN FOOD SOCIETY website.

211 is an Edmonton-based referral phone line that connects people to social, government, and health services in their area. 211 can provide service beyond food needs, and can specialize referrals to your needs and area.

211 – Resource Lists