The Calgary Food Bank has launched an innovative new downtown location designed to operate like a conventional grocery store, offering clients dignity and choice. The facility, which celebrated its grand opening on Monday, December 15, 2025, is a pilot project aimed at better serving urban residents facing food insecurity.
A Supermarket Experience for Greater Dignity
Located in the Neoma building at 706 7 Ave., the new space immediately resembles a retail grocery outlet. Upon entering, clients see racks of fresh produce, followed by shelves stocked with canned goods, cereals, condiments, and grains. Refrigerated sections at the back hold meat, dairy, and eggs.
Melissa From, CEO of the Calgary Food Bank, emphasized that the model is about restoring normalcy and autonomy. "When I shop with my family, my children decide if they want curly pasta or bow tie pasta," From explained. "We really want our clients to have that same experience." She added that the setup helps individuals learn to make good food choices that meet their cultural, dietary, and personal preferences.
How the Points-Based System Works
The core of the new service is a client-centric points system. Families accessing the bank must pre-book a hamper online or via the call centre, similar to the main location. Upon arrival, individuals are allotted points based on the Canada Food Guide recommendations.
Clients then "shop," using their points to "purchase" items from the shelves. The point value assigned to each product fluctuates based on current inventory, encouraging flexibility and choice. This system is designed to empower users, moving away from pre-packaged hampers to a more participatory and respectful process.
Addressing a Critical Need in the City Core
Jay Gohill, the food bank’s board chair, stated during the opening that the downtown location, which had been serving clients for a week prior to the official launch, is estimated to cater to 200 households per day. This location specifically targets residents who lack access to food banks in the city's south and north ends or who cannot drive to those peripheral locations.
From noted that the Calgary Food Bank in total serves approximately 800 households daily. However, she highlighted a significant gap, referencing a recent Calgary Foundation survey. "There’s a very large number of households facing food insecurity in our city that aren’t getting the help they need," From said, pointing to parents skipping meals and people compromising their health due to the high cost of nutritious food. "What we really hope is that this is the solution to those challenges."
Although launched as a pilot, the organization has secured a long-term lease for the downtown space. "I don’t think it is a matter of how long we will run," From concluded. "It is a matter of iterating." This statement underscores the food bank's commitment to adapting and refining this novel approach to food support in the heart of Calgary.
