Food Security in Delta
Click here to see the Delta Food Supports Brochure
Deltassist’s Community Garden:
The Community Garden at Deltassist is looking for volunteers!
Our volunteer team is active from February through November, growing fresh vegetables (and some herbs and fruits!) to contribute to Delta community members who may be unhoused, or are low-income seniors, families or singles. We also maintain flower beds for the beautification of the garden space. Our ideal volunteer is aged 19-79, reasonably mobile, and available once or twice a week for 2 hour ‘work’ sessions. Experience is always welcome but not necessary, as existing volunteers are happy to share their knowledge. Garden tasks are sometimes physical but can be tailored to abilities. The garden is located in the back parking lot of the North Delta office at 9097 120th street. If you are interested in joining us for some natural therapy, please email volunteer@deltassist.com.
The Gardening Cycle
January – This is the time to start planning for the season – when and how to engage volunteers, discuss any major changes for the garden program, update seed inventory, start a budget.
February / March – Acquire any needed seeds, tools, gardening equipment, soils and fertilizers. Take care of any late winter pruning and spraying. Start preparing the planting areas – fix planter boxes, top up soil, add amendments, remove any major weeds. Turn over the compost bins. Clean out and organize the shed. Start indoor seeds and set up winter sowing jugs, may also start direct sowing some ‘cool weather’ crops such as peas, radishes, spinach, pac choi. This is a physically demanding time, but also a great time to reconnect with the garden team.
April / May – This is the time that direct sowing really ramps up, seeds are in the ground and sprouting all over. We begin transplanting some of the ‘warm weather’ crops such as tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, squash. We also start harvesting some of the early crops, and these are packaged, labelled and taken into the building for distribution to Deltassist clients. We acquire hanging baskets and bedding plants to beautify the flower bed and garden areas. Our mason bees arrive! We have an irrigation system that handles most of the watering, but also do some hand watering as the weather warms up.
June / July / August – Finish transplanting the ‘warm weather’ seedlings. Continue direct sowing seeds for successive and new crops. The harvesting really ramps up at this time. Maintain the flower beds, dead-heading and weeding as needed. Trimmings from the garden are added to the compost bins, which are turned regularly. Continue hand watering, plus feed and fertilize as needed.
September / October – Harvest is ongoing. As beds empty, clean out the plant remnants and mulch or cover the beds. Plant crops that will over winter, such as garlic or flower bulbs. Plant cover crops where needed to improve soil structure and nutrients for spring. Turn compost bins.
November – Harvest last of the season’s crops, mulch or cover remaining beds. Turn compost bins. Update harvest statistics, seed inventory and lessons learned. And take time to celebrate the volunteer team, and the end of a successful year in the garden!
The Community Fund (Emergency Food Cupboard)
The Community Fund is available to assist low-income Delta residents who are in crisis situations by providing emergency food, food vouchers and bus tickets. It is supported by donations of cash and food to Deltassist.
Deltassist is not a Food Bank but rather a stop-gap for emergency situations. In addition to emergency food or bus tickets, clients will also be given information on other resources for food available in the community, and be informed that if they need to access further assistance they will have to do so from these other resources.
Occasionally we get a request for Community Fund assistance other than food or transportation. If the request is within the giving guidelines of our Community Partners, we will ask if the client would allow us to pass their name, contact information and request information along to one of these community partners, such as Churches or Service Clubs.
Please note, we are unable to provide assistance paying monthly bills such as rent, utilities and phones.
For Emergency food program information contact us at 604-594-3455
Deltassist Bread Gleaning Program:
Deltassist administers a weekly bread gleaning program with bread that is generously donated by Monte Cristo Bakery. Every week volunteers pick up the bread from the bakery, package it at our office and then it is distributed to various community partners. The bread is free and available to all.
“For family and community to thrive the residents must survive.”
Christmas Hampers:
Deltassist also coordinates the collection of food and distribution of Christmas hampers for low-income Delta residents during the Christmas season.
Community Capacity
Deltassist is an active participant in The Delta Food Coalition‘s efforts to develop a focused action plan in community outreach, education, communication and municipal engagement to increase food security in Delta.
Learn more about the Delta Food Coalition: Delta Food Coalition – Earthwise Society
Click here to see the Delta Food Supports Brochure
Community Sustainability
Working to build capacity through collaborative and cooperative activities requires:
- Community Need Awareness
- Community Partnerships
- Raising Awareness
- Encouraging Involvement
- Municipal Engagement
- Stakeholders Engagement
- Mapping Local Food Sources
- Community Delivery Mechanisms
Build capacity through collaborative and cooperative activities is built daily at the “grass roots”.
Work done by the Earthwise Garden Society (Annual Grow Local Fair) and Delta Farmland and Wildlife Trust (A Day at the Farm) are examples of how building events contributes to our sustainability.
If you would like to donate to our Emergency Food Cupboard the following are items we can always use:
- Kraft Dinner
- Canned fruit
- Canned pasta
- Canned meats – chicken and ham
- Hearty soups
- Cereal
- Peanut Butter
- Juice
- Granola bars
Community Sources of Food Security:
Click here to see the Delta Food Supports Brochure
*Registration is required – call or email for details.
**Call for exact dates and hours of operation.
Food Banks & Food Hampers:
COMMUNITY HARVEST:
CROSSROADS UNITED CHURCH
Free produce. Please bring bags.
First & third Sun: 2pm (Line up starts at 1:15pm)
7655 120th St, Delta | 778-593-1043 2023 Dates: May 7, 21; June 4, 18; July 2, 16; Aug 6, 20; Sept 3, 17; Oct 1, 15; Nov 5, 19; Dec 3, 17
DELTASSIST COMMUNITY FUND:
EMERGENCY FOOD
Free, short term emergency grocery support.
Mon-Fri: 9am-12pm 1-4:30pm
a) N. Delta: 9097 120th St, Delta | 604-594-3455
b) Ladner: 202-5000 Bridge St, Delta | 604-946-9526
*DELTASSIST CHRISTMAS HAMPER PROGRAM
Free Christmas hampers for qualified families .
a) North Delta | 9097 120th St, Delta
b) Ladner: 202-5000 Bridge St, Delta
604-594-3455 | inquiry@deltassist.com
*GURU NANAK FOOD BANK
Free monthly vegetarian groceries. Please book an
appointment to register online at gnfb.ca
Mon-Fri: 1pm-6pm | Sat-Sun: 11am-6pm
11188 84 Ave, Delta | 604-580-1313
**MUSLIM FOOD BANK &
COMMUNITY SERVICES
Free groceries for residents with vegan
& religious dietary needs.
Sat: 7am-10am | 104-12941 – 115 Ave, Surrey
1-866-248-3868 | coordinator@muslimfoodbank.com
*NORTH DELTA DEPOT: SURREY FOOD BANK
Free bi-weekly groceries. Halal foods available.
Please call to book an appointment for registration.
Every other Tue: 10am-12pm
Northside Community Church | 11300 84 Ave, Delta
604-581-5443 Ext. 105 To receive food, you’ll need to register.
Dates for 2023: May 2, 16; June 13, 27; July 11,25; Aug 8,22; Sept 5, 19; Oct 3,17,31; Nov 14,28; Dec 12,27 ( please note that Dec 27 is a Wednesday due to Boxing Day falling on the Tuesday)
*SOUTH DELTA FOOD BANK
Free weekly groceries. Please register in person
during food bank hours.
Wed: 8:30am-11am Donations accepted: Tues-Fri, 8am-12pm, 1pm-4pm
Lighthouse Church | 5545 Ladner Trunk Rd, Delta
604-946-4430 | southdeltafoodbank@gmail.com
** TINY BUNDLES:
SURREY FOOD BANK
Free food and items for pregnant persons
or children under 5yrs old.
Wed: 9am-1pm
10732 City Pkwy, Surrey | 604-581-5443 Ext. 111
Community Meals & Snacks:
LADNER COMMUNITY MEAL
Free dinner and dessert. Everyone welcome.
Tue before income assistance: 6pm-7pm
All Saints Anglican Church | 4755 Arthur Dr, Delta
604-946-8413
LADNER SNACK
Free coffee, tea and pastries. Everyone welcome.
Tue: 2pm-4pm
Ladner United Church | 4960 48 Ave, Delta
604-946-6254
NORTH DELTA COMMUNITY MEAL
Free nutritious dinner. Everyone welcome.
Fourth Sat: 5pm
a) Crossroads United Church | 7655 120 St, Delta
778-593-1043 Dates for 2023: May 27; June 24; July 22; August 26; September 23; October 28; November 25; December 23
$5.00 warm lunch. Everyone welcome.
Every second Mon: 12pm -1:15pm
b) St Cuthbert Anglican Church | 11601 82 Ave, Delta
604-594-8822
Free meals during community events.
c) **Trinity Lutheran Church | 11040 River Rd, Delta
604-584-0111
TSAWWASSEN COMMUNITY MEAL
Free lunch for seniors from September to May.
Third Tue: 11:30am
South Delta Baptist Church | 1988 56 St, Delta
604-943-8244
*HEALTHIEST BABIES POSSIBLE LUNCH CLUB
Free lunch, pre-natal vitamins, grocery store gift cards,
and baby clothes for pregnant and new parents.
Every other Fri: 11am-1pm
St. Cuthbert’s Church | 11601 – 82nd Ave, Delta
604-583-1017 | hbp@options.bc.ca
Other Food Programs:
NICK’S NOOK PANTRY
Free pantry items for the community.
Mon-Sun: 24 hrs | NDsmallpantry@gmail.com
a) Northside Church | 11300 84th Ave, Delta
b) New Hope Church | 11838 88th Ave, Delta
c) Sunshine Ridge Baptist Church | 6230 120 St, Surrey
d) Crossroads Church | 7655 120 St, Delta (May 2023)
*GROWING AND LEARNING TOGETHER
YOUNG MOMS PROGRAM
Free baby supplies, bus tickets, and lunch for young moms.
Thu: 12:20-2:30pm
Gibson Elementary School | 11451-90th Ave, Delta
604-999-7457 | rsandhu@bgcbc.ca
**EARTHWISE SOCIETY
Delta Food Coalition Harvest Box Program
Free local produce and cooking resources.
Garden Program
Virtual and in person workshops on growing food
and sustainable living throughout the year.
Shared Harvest Program
Free gleaned fruit shared with volunteers,
participating homeowners and residents.
6400 – 3rd Ave, Delta
604-946-9828 | info@earthwisesociety.bc.ca
FREE BREAD
Donated by Cobs Bread
a)**New Hope Church | Wed : 7pm
11838 88th Ave, Delta | 604-596-8178
Donated by Monte Cristo Bakery
b) Deltassist
Mon – Fri: 9am-12pm & 1pm-4:30pm
9097 120th St, Delta | 604-594-3455
inquiry@deltassist.com
*STARFISH PACK PROGRAM
Free packs of food every Friday for families
identified by school staff. Contact local school for
other support programs.
a) North Delta Rotary/Deltassist | 9097 120th St, Delta
604-594-3455, ext 121 | kamd@deltassist.com
b) South Delta Baptist Church | 1988 56th St, Delta
mgrierson@southdelta.org
Grocery & Meal Delivery:
*SURREY FOOD BANK:
HAMPER TO YOUR HOME
Free hamper delivery for users with verified
mobility limitations.
604-581-5443 Ext. 111
MEALS ON WHEELS: SURREY/NORTH DELTA
Meal delivery for users with physical limitations.
Bagged lunch $5 | Hot meals $10.50
Mon-Fri: 10am-1pm
778-590-1433 | sndmow@gmail.com
MEALS ON WHEELS: SOUTH DELTA
Meal delivery to seniors, and those with a
disability or illness.
Meals from $8 | Email mowsd@yahoo.com
Ladner and Tsawwassen deliver M/W/F Messages can be left at 604-946-9526
*BETTER MEALS
Meal delivery for seniors with dietary restrictions.
Meals from $1.50-$9 | Minimum order $30
Mon-Fri: 8:30am-3pm | contact@bettermeals.ca
604-299-1877 | 1-888-838-1888
*DELTASSIST PHONE SHOPPING FOR SENIORS
Free grocery shopping for seniors or those
living with disabilities.
Minimum order of $35 | 604-946-9526
