Since 1975, The Mustard Seed’s purpose has been to be an integral part in fighting hunger, poverty and marginalization to thousands of people struggling in the Greater Victoria region. The Mustard Seed is a community offering a continuum of care that operates:

- The Hospitality Centre for relationship building and advocacy;

- Vancouver Island’s largest food bank, which serves over 5000 people a month;

- The Family Centre, which supports and empowers families; and

- The Hope Farm Healing Centre, an addictions recovery program in Duncan.

- Collaborate with Food Share Network…ADD MORE.

Their mission is to build a resilient community and maintain relationships, all while providing these essential and transformative services to those in need.

Historically, food pantries struggled for resources and donations, and with limited food supply they had to have very strict rules about distribution, which resulted in a practice of “pre-bagging” groceries for clients. This means that everyone gets the same or similar food in their bag, which can result in a lot of wasted food, and may not actually serve the needs of the clients. Not every food-insecure person is the same. A mother with children will have different needs for food and nutrition than an elderly man with poor teeth. And a homeless person may not have a kitchen in which to prepare or store certain foods.

"The most revolutionary and most necessary of needed reforms is to let clients assemble their own food boxes. No other single reform makes more of a difference..."

A Client-Choice model can offer a more dignified and personal interaction, while also helping to reduce food waste. Shopping at a grocery store experience, clients can use a cart to choose canned and dry goods from shelves and table displays, as well as fresh items from the refrigerator cases.

This more personal and dignified distribution model offers an opportunity to have one on one conversations with clients, which can lead to determining what if any other assistance is needed to give the client “a hand up”.

How many people are currently served by the Mustard Seed?

• On average, we serve 7,500 distinct individuals per month over our organizational continuum of care. Of these, 5,000 are served by the food bank hamper program per month.

Who will be impacted by the Dignity Market and how?

• People served will range from street homeless, addicted and marginalized, to the working poor and seniors, to single parents and intact families, to students in university and more.

• This Market will return the dignity of choice to those coming for food and empower that choice. It will strengthen the “I am able” attitude and lead to hope and belief in oneself.

Can you give me more information on the “shopping helper?”

• A shopping helper is a person who assists the shopper with such things as reading labels, cooking ideas, and where to find things. More importantly, the shopping helper can have a conversation with the person, hear their story and situation, build relationship and trust, and assist them right then and there with food and referrals. Then, the shopping helper can “engage for transformation” by understanding each person’s thoughts, ideas and referrals for long term success, helping them to hopefully overcome the situation that has them in need in the first place.

Are there other examples of this kind of food bank model?

• Nationally there are less than five food banks that have a dedicated store-like area who offer food and services free of charge food and services. None of them utilize a “shopping helper.”

What will be the impact of the renovated and expanded office space?

• The staff will be more effective and healthy—mentally, emotionally, and physically.

• These new spaces will help foster a culture of team unity that leads to a healthy organization, which benefits the people the Mustard Seed serves.

• Healthy people are more productive, which makes for a great and effective organization with a direct tangible outcome of client impact and service excellence.