Since 1975, The Mustard Seed’s purpose has been to be an integral part in fighting hunger, poverty and marginalization for 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.

The Food Share Network is an innovative umbrella that enhances food security in the Capital Region through collaboration and cooperation among food banks, community centres, donors and other participating organizations. Participating organizations share the common values of empowerment, dignity and respect, food and community, stewardship, and collective impact. There is a broad consensus on shifting the focus toward food security and self-reliance as a means to create a healthier and more resilient population.

Download their Action Plan here:

The Victoria Foundation matched $100K raised by Rotary Clubs of Greater Victoria for a total of $200K, which made the creation of the Food Security Distribution Center possible in 2017. Without their involvement the facility in which HeroWork will build a community commercial kitchen wouldn't exist.

Established in 1936, the Victoria Foundation is Canada’s second oldest community foundation and the sixth largest of nearly 200 nation-wide. The Victoria Foundation manages charitable gifts from donors whose generosity allows them to create permanent, income-earning funds. The proceeds from these funds are then distributed as grants for charitable or educational purposes. To date the Victoria Foundation has invested more than $196 million in people, projects and non-profit organizations that strengthen communities in BC and throughout Canada.

What will the Mustard Seed prepare in this kitchen?

• They plan to make soups, stocks and preserves from perishable food items that don’t make the cut for the distribution boxes. These products will be vacuum sealed and distributed through regular channels to recipient agencies at no charge. This will be accomplished by Mustard Seed staff and volunteers who have been specifically trained to work in the kitchen program.

• In the future they plan to develop products that can be sold under the Mustard Seed brand like The Mustard Seed Coffee Co. This will help the Mustard Seed to become more self-sufficient.

Who else will use the kitchen?

• How will the kitchen be used and by who? Mustard Seed volunteers or staff or both? Outside stakeholders (like a chef giving cooking lessons)? What will be the ratio between staff and volunteers?

How many people will be impacted by this project?

• Currently there are over 50 partners with the Food Share Network, directly benefiting over 35,000 people per month. While we are still determining the exact number of people that will be impacted directly by the kitchen, it is thousands of people a month.

Who is the Food Share Network?

• The Food Share Network is an innovative umbrella that enhances food security in the Capital Region through collaboration and cooperation among food banks, community centres, donors and other participating organizations. Participating organizations share the common values of empowerment, dignity and respect, food and community, stewardship, and collective impact. There is a broad consensus on shifting the focus toward food security and self-reliance as a means to create a healthier and more resilient population.

What is the relationship between the Mustard Seed and the Food Share Network? 

• Both the Mustard Seed and the Food Share Network work together, operating multiple programs from the same warehouse in Esquimalt at 808 Viewfield Road. Together they organize and operate the Food Rescue program and the Give Food Get Food program. Together they impact over 50 organizations and tens of thousands of people every month.

• In addition, the Mustard Seed uses the warehouse as a distribution center for their Queens Ave hamper program that monthly serves over 5,000 people.

• Together, they are a model of community cooperation and collaboration.

How will the kitchen be staffed?

• The Mustard Seed will hire a kitchen coordinator, who will manage the schedule, ensure adherence to VIHA food safety plans, coordinate volunteers and maintain quality control. The staff volunteer ratio will be 1:4 to start, with more volunteers added as need dictates through program development.

What is the list of organizations served by the Food Share Network?