How a group of immigrants rescue ‘best before’ food destined for the dump and put it to good use

A group of new immigrants to Canada are giving back to their community by using food that would otherwise be thrown into the trash.

Igor Bjelac moved to Canada from Serbia three years ago and says he was shocked to learn this country throws out billions of dollars of food each year.

While Bjelac was learning English in Coquitlam, he and his classmates came up with a plan.

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The two dozen immigrants and refugees from 11 countries go to grocery stores every week and pick up boxes of produce, meat, dairy and treats about to reach their best-before dates.

Volunteers deliver the food to local shelters and schools where it’s used for breakfast and hot-lunch programs and sent home to families in need.

Bjelac also delivers groceries to refugees and immigrants so they can lower their bills while they look for work.

He says diverting food from the dump has helped him “connect with Canada” and is also “the perfect way to contribute to local communities and give back a little bit to Canada, which has welcomed us.”