FOOD & NUTRITION PROGRAMS
Nutritional Outreach
☆ Welfare Tuesdays and Welfare Wednesdays
Program Lead: ops@dtesnhouse.ca
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.
Tuesday Night Food Prep
☆ Tuesdays, 6:45 pm to 9:00 pm
On Tuesday nights, our neighbours in the DTES and friends from outside of the DTES work to animate a night of food prep. Together we prepare healthy and nutritious food that is made available to participants in the Community Drop-In the following day.
If you’re interested in getting involved in our initiatives, please check out our Volunteer Connector page to see our current volunteer opportunities, or email volunteer@dtesnhouse.ca
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.