Fort Saskatchewan and Strathcona food banks shift to grocery-style model
As food bank visits hit record levels, two Alberta centres let clients choose what they need instead of receiving pre-packed hampers.
Sources · local media reports
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Two Alberta food banks are ditching the pre-packed hamper model entirely, letting clients browse and choose groceries like they're shopping in a store — a shift that's giving people back a sense of dignity during their most vulnerable moments.
The Fort Saskatchewan Nourishment Centre recently launched the new system. Clients still register in advance and receive the same amount of food based on family size, but now they walk through a shopping area and select exactly what they want. "When people are using food banks, they're at their most vulnerable," said Linda Bernicki, the centre's executive director. "We see more smiles. We see people more relaxed. We see participants interacting more with the volunteers… We hear so many thank-yous, because they have a choice."
The Strathcona Food Bank is moving in the same direction with a hybrid model that combines standard hampers with a shopping area for additional groceries. "Of course, anybody would love to have choice of the food that they eat," said Kathryn Howden, the organization's executive director and a registered dietitian. "It's a basic human need — and right to want to have some say into what is included in your diet."
The shift reflects a national surge in food insecurity. In March 2025, there were nearly 2.2 million visits to food banks nationwide — a record, according to Food Banks Canada. The Fort Saskatchewan centre has seen demand double over the past four years, with more first-time clients and families returning after months without needing help. The centre's Second Servings food recovery program has also seen visits rise by more than 50 per cent.
Strathcona purchased new land for a larger facility in Sherwood Park. The Nourish Centre, set to open in January, will feature a community kitchen, food-literacy programming, cooking classes and space for wraparound supports. The organization launched a $5 million capital campaign last year to fund the project and is rebranding to help remove the stigma around food banks. As Howden said, "It will start normalizing that people sometimes need a hand up in their life."
At a glance
Where are these grocery-style food banks located?
The Fort Saskatchewan Nourishment Centre and the Strathcona Food Bank are both in Alberta. Strathcona is opening a new larger facility called the Nourish Centre in Sherwood Park.
How does the new model work?
At the Fort Saskatchewan Nourishment Centre, clients register in advance and receive food amounts based on family size, then walk through a shopping area to select exactly what they want. The Strathcona Food Bank uses a hybrid model combining standard hampers with an additional shopping area for groceries.
