Surrey Food Bank says they need more supply of culturally appropriate food | CBC News

The Surrey Food Bank says it is searching for extra donations of culturally particular meals, like halal meats, after seeing an elevated demand for them within the final six months.

Vijay Naidu, communications supervisor at the meals financial institution, says they serve round 13,000 households month-to-month, 80 per cent of which have Muslim backgrounds. 

“We would like to give them the food that they want rather than what they don’t want,” Naidu mentioned.

“To make them feel happier, comfortable… that’s the whole point of giving them culturally specific food, so that they feel welcomed.”

Naidu says the group can solely afford to purchase 3,000 items of halal meat — hen and beef — per 30 days at full value, however estimates about 10,000 households want the meats every month.

He says after they run out of it, which is commonly, households substitute different objects like chickpeas for protein. 

The group is making an attempt to safe extra halal donations from big-box shops and get reductions from farmers and butchers who produce halal meat, he says, however have had no luck up to now.

“I think it’s taking some time because the price of everything has gone up,” mentioned Naidu.

“So we’re just hoping for the best.”

Changes in meals financial institution objects

Amer Albirkdar got here to Canada from Syria in 2020, and says he has been utilizing the Surrey Food Bank since, coming as soon as per week to select up objects for his spouse and two kids. 

“A year ago, we used to come to the food bank, maybe half of the food was not suitable for us,” he mentioned.

Last 12 months, the meals financial institution put out a survey asking households what they’d wish to have extra of.

Since then, Albirkdar has been seeing extra meals that align along with his tradition and Muslim religion, he says. 

“[Them] actually supporting us with food gives me some time to study,” Albirkdar mentioned, including he is making an attempt to get licensed as a therapist in Canada. 

Culturally applicable meals helps individuals

Naidu says purchasers who’re unable to get halal objects from their warehouse are additionally referred to the Muslim Food Bank, a corporation that gives solely halal and pork-free merchandise. 

Azim Dahya, Muslim Food Bank’s CEO, says previously 12 months, they’ve seen a rise of 500 to 1,000 visits month-to-month, together with visits from refugees.

He says offering them with culturally applicable meals helps them combine in Canada.

“It allows them to be taken care of from a food-insecurity perspective,” he mentioned.

“So when they come here, they feel welcomed, they feel at home.”

Dahya says households who use their meals financial institution are additionally linked with case employees who converse their language.

“Food usually allows people to build good relationships,” he mentioned.

“Once we build relationships, then we can help them in different aspects to progress toward self-reliance.”