Through six community grants totalling $250,040, over 1,300 people were engaged. Learn about the complete projects below.
Food Recovery Feasibility Study ($20,040)

Potluck Café Society External web site, opens in new tab conducted a study to explore potential models for procuring and processing healthy food from farms while providing low barrier training and employment opportunities.
The outcome was a public report outlining the steps required to pilot a sustainable food recovery initiative. Potluck is using the report to trial the diversion of second and B-grade produce, with the employment and training of residents to sort, process, and sell final products to kitchens in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.
Supports Greenest City goal areas: Zero Waste, Local Food, Green economy, and Lighter Footprint
Other City strategies: Healthy City Strategy and Vancouver Food Strategy
Greenest City Lighter Footprint Goal: Addressing the measurement gap in food consumption ($45,000)

BCIT External web site, opens in new tab and non-profit One Earth addressed the lack of ecological footprint data on Vancouver’s food consumption.
By connecting with a large number of food consumption, food security, and food waste experts, they were able to produce a local food consumption survey and identify a number of strategic impact areas for reducing Vancouver’s collective ecological footprint. The next steps include using the survey to collect local food data.
Supports Greenest City goal areas: Green Buildings, Green Transportation, Zero Waste, Local Food, Lighter Footprint
Gordon Greens Mobile Produce Market ($45,000)

Gordon Neighbourhood House External web site, opens in new tab developed a mobile produce market that brought fresh low-cost fruits and vegetables to the West End community by bike-power.
The program ran during the summer of 2017 and 2018, forming new connections with community members while providing nutrient dense food to individuals with mobility and health challenges. Through a partnership with Golden Choice Markets, the program was able to provide over 1700 pounds of produce and engage over 190 residents at the Neighbourhood House and two mobile locations in the community.
Supports Greenest City goal areas: Access to Nature, Local Food, Green Economy, Green Transportation, Lighter Footprint
Other City strategies: Renewable City Strategy, Healthy City Strategy, Vancouver Food Strategy
Green Bloc Neighbourhoods Vancouver ($50,000)

Evergreen External web site, opens in new tab engaged 171 households in four neighbourhoods in ecological footprint measurement, dialogue, workshops, and collective action projects such as community gardens, murals, and a communal piano.
Three of the four neighbourhoods achieved a reduction of their overall ecological footprint of 25% or more. The success of this project allowed Evergreen to secure a partnership with Vancity in 2018 to develop a long-term neighbourhood scale model for change.
Supports Greenest City goal areas: Green Buildings, Green Transportation, Zero Waste, Local Food, Access to Nature, and Lighter Footprint
Other City Strategies: Healthy City Strategy
Therapeutic Mentorship Beekeeping ($45,000)

Hives for Humanity External web site, opens in new tab partnered with PHS Community Services to increase the locations of, and participation in, their therapeutic mentorship beekeeping programs.
Six feature workshops were facilitated by experts in the community, a community beekeeper team was built up, and a number of new products were tested and built, such as upcycled garden planters and beekeeping equipment. The program saw a total of 1,458 hours of participation across their 18 sites.
Supports Greenest City goal areas: Access to Nature, Local Food, Green Economy
Other City Strategies: Healthy City Strategy
Newcomer Bike Host Program ($45,000 over 2 years)

A partnership between HUB Cycling External web site, opens in new tab and the Immigrant Services Society of BC’s Welcome House brought the physical and mental health benefits and social and economic access of cycling to newly arriving refugees and immigrant newcomers.
59 newcomers to Canada were engaged by 39 host volunteers. Participants developed cycling skills and knowledge, improved language skills, gained increased self-confidence, and made new friendships.
Supports Greenest City goal areas: Green Transportation, Access to Nature, Lighter Footprint
Other City Strategies: Healthy City Strategy