FSJ No Frills nearly waste-free

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. – The owner of Amanda’s No Frills in Fort St. John says the store is almost waste-free thanks in part to the Second Harvest Food Rescue App.

Second Harvest is a food rescue organization that wishes to reduce the environmental impact of avoidable food waste. They work with food businesses and non-profit organizations to redistribute, research, raise awareness, and educate by working with food businesses and non-profit organizations.

Businesses can post about a donation they’d like to make through the app, and participating non-profits will get notified.

Amanda Cox, owner and operator of Amanda’s No Frills, explains that they pull and scan food from the sales floor that is “100 per cent” fit for consumption but not for retail and instead of throwing them away, they donate it.

“By using the Second Harvest app, we have become a nearly waste-free grocery store. I have switched my garbage removal from weekly to biweekly with large cost savings to the business.”

Amanda encourages more stores in the area to get involved with the app.

“It is a very easy system, and I would recommend any stores considering joining the program to do it! It is a great program, and there is a huge benefit to the people in our community.”

Since 2018, the store has donated enough food to provide over 80,000 meals to the community.

Salvation Army volunteers come to the store and pick up surplus food Monday to Friday.