Quest Non-Profit Grocery Markets sells food at 50% less than commercial stores
Four-store network in Vancouver, Burnaby, and North Vancouver sells recovered food from restaurants and retailers, serving long-term low-income customers.
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A non-profit grocery model has been quietly operating in Metro Vancouver for 20 years, offering food at roughly half the cost of commercial discount stores.
Quest Non-Profit Grocery Markets runs four stores—two in Vancouver, one in Burnaby, and one in North Vancouver—selling surplus food collected from grocery stores, restaurants, hotels, wholesalers, producers, and farms that would otherwise go to waste. "It's still good quality, nutritious food," said Rob Gloor, Quest's executive director.
Quest fills the gap between emergency food banks and commercial retail. While food banks address immediate crises, Quest supports those needing "ongoing solutions," Gloor explained. Many of their clients have limited incomes and require long-term assistance.
Customers access the markets through one of Quest's 700 referral partners—government programs, nonprofits, and service providers. Those already receiving social assistance or using food banks are pre-qualified and can get a referral at the store itself.
At the till, shoppers pay about half what the same food would cost at a commercial discount grocer. Gloor said Quest charges just enough to cover staff and brick-and-mortar costs. With eligible Canadians receiving the new Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit on Friday, Gloor said Quest markets can help people stretch their dollars twice as far.
