Over the past year, posAbilities had the pleasure of collaborating with dozens of partners both inside and outside of our sector to advance our organization’s mission.  Many of our programs have been actively involved in ongoing opportunities to build skills and relationships with several community organizations, like this one with Quest Food Exchange – BC’s largest not-for profit food exchange program that offers access to affordable and healthy food choices for those facing barriers to this basic necessity.

Quest (located at 2020 Dundas Street in East Vancouver) has been putting on special monthly community kitchen workshops where they open their community training kitchen to provide education in the area of nutrition, best shopping practices, menu planning and cooking techniques.

Most recently, an energetic group of 17 of our persons served took part in this workshop where they set out to make several healthy and delicious dishes with everything purchased from Quest’s market.  Each workshop begins with a tour of Quest market, where guests learn how to purchase healthy foods within a reasonable budget.  Quest also understands that clients have different needs, preferences and lifestyles and strives to provide a variety of items and choices to all.  The group then heads to their kitchen where they have the opportunity to work alongside local professional chefs and prominent members of the food industry to prepare their meal.

On the menu was a fresh garden salad (with purple carrots, green chard, homemade croutons, and more!), followed by roasted poblano peppers stuffed with mushroom vegetable quinoa and daiya cheese, served with fried polenta topped with tomato marinara.   It’s amazing to see what kinds of dishes you can create within a reasonable budget; this entire meal was purchased from their market for only $14.00!

As a volunteer and event coordinator for Quest, Rick Gibbs was reminded once again of why he loves being part of this program as he explains, “the group was amazing and everyone helped out.  I definitely made some new friends today!”.

Are you a person or charitable organization in Metro Vancouver looking for access to affordable food?  Quest currently partners with over 400 social services agencies to ensure that individuals have access to affordable and healthy food choices.  Learn more about Quest Food Exchange’s food programs to find out how they can work for you.