Community smoothie bar - Downtown Eastside Neighbourhood House
Smoothies powered by bike - Downtown Eastside Neighbourhood House
Mobile smoothie bar outreach - Downtown Eastside Neighbourhood House
Smoothie ingredients - Downtown Eastside Neighbourhood House
Banana outreach - Downtown Eastside Neighbourhood House
In the community garden - Downtown Eastside Neighbourhood House

Nutritional Outreach

Welfare Tuesdays and Welfare Wednesdays

Our Nutritional Outreach (NO) programs: Banana Beat and the Mobile Smoothie Project are two initiatives that aim to provide essential nutrients on the days that low-income residents of the Downtown Eastside are least likely to have access to nutrition.

Banana Beat operates on “Welfare Wednesdays” (or cheque day). The first Banana Beat was held in August 2006, bringing nutritional wealth (in the form of potassium and other nutrients) as well as dignity and the reminder of inherent deservedness to hundreds of our neighbours who line up in the pre-dawn hours, awaiting the opening of offices to access their Social Assistance payments. Created by the DTES NH, the Banana Beat remains one of our most cherished vehicles for grassroots community consultation and development.

In February 2009, the DTES NH instituted our Mobile Smoothie Project, which was designed to foster community development and to attract those of our neighbours who might never attend our more traditional Community Kitchens. The Mobile Smoothie Project visits several partner organizations for about 30 minutes every Welfare Tuesday (the day before cheque day). As people mingle and socialize around this low-tech activity, the humble blender provides an opportunity to consider and learn about nutrition, and delicious smoothies to all.

The Mobile Smoothie Project regularly stops at the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre, Powell St Getaway, the Chill Room of InSite, Oppenheimer Park, and Lord Strathcona Elementary School.

These programs were born from the collective life experience of DTES NH program participants. Through the Banana Beat and the Mobile Smoothie Project, we offer quality ingredients to Vancouver’s most nutritionally vulnerable population, along with a dignified delivery mode. 

Community Fridge & Pantry Program

Open at all program times, and Tuesday mornings

The Community Fridge & Pantry (CF&P) is an offshoot of the CDI. As a free self-use space within the CDI, our neighbours can access fresh and shelf-stable items at no cost in a low-barrier space. It’s open to all who access the DTES NH’s programs – from the general public, to our families, children, and seniors.