—Leftovers
Since 2012, we’ve been working to make sure that good food doesn’t get wasted. We connect food donors with service agencies through the efforts of our amazing volunteers across Alberta and Manitoba.
Our Mission
We rescue and redirect good food from becoming waste by connecting, empowering, and mobilizing communities through logistics, collaboration, and leadership.
Our Vision
Communities where all food reaches its full potential and none is wasted.
Our Values
Food Justice + Environmental Justice = Food Rescue
We believe that good food should always go to people who need it, never to landfills. Food rescue actively reduces waste and prevents greenhouse gas emissions, and we are building systems to rescue and redirect as much as possible. It is our responsibility to ensure that the food we rescue is not only used, but able to be accessed barrier-free and with dignity. That is why our community partners and our recipient agencies are integral to the development process.
With, By, and For Community
We understand that effective solutions can only be built with, never for. We believe that every voice matters, and we value the input and expertise of our volunteers, food donors, and service agencies in shaping more accessible, food secure communities. We work to support communities as they discover and define how food rescue works for them. We establish trust through the shared vision of a collaborative food system.
Dignity at the Center of Everything That We Do
We believe that food is a right, not a privilege, and that valuing and respecting the dignity of everyone involved with our programs is non-negotiable. We know that everyone has something to offer, and that people are at their best when met with empathy and compassion. We understand that equity and inclusion matter, and are striving to uphold these principles in every action we take.
Our Impact
1,134,322 lbs redirected in 2024
1,576,699 lbs of CO₂ diverted in 2024
$4,026,500 saved in
2024
Our History
From our founder, Lourdes Juan:
“Back in 2012, I was asked by a cousin to help pick up excess bread from a local bakery that was going to be thrown out. The bakery had a policy to donate food at the end of their day because they would bake more than was needed, every morning, to fill their shelves – people want to buy from businesses with full, aesthetically pleasing displays. The bakery recognized that they didn’t want any fresh food to go to waste, so they developed an ‘End of Day Giving Program.’ When I arrived, there was about 200 lbs. of bread, which basically took up the entire front of the store. My cousin could only take a couple bags worth for the charity he was donating to, so we were left with 100 to 175 lbs. I had no idea where to bring it, but I think the initial shock of seeing that much bread was really eye-opening for someone who doesn’t come from the restaurant or non-profit sector. We took the rest to the drop-in centre, where I knew we could donate food after work hours. When we got there, the gentleman at the loading dock told me they would use the bread by noon the next day – they were serving 3,000 meals a day.”
Timeline
Our first food rescue!
Leftovers’ official incorporation in Alberta.
Expansion to Edmonton.
We also rescued and redirected 5333 lbs of good food from the Calgary Stampede!
Leftovers achieves charitable status.
Release of Rescue Food app.
Official incorporation in Manitoba. Expansion to Winnipeg and Hinton.
Expansion to Airdrie.
We rescued and redirected a total of more than 1,000,000 lbs of food for the first time this year!
The 10th Anniversary of our first food rescue!
Expansion to Red Deer and Lethbridge.
Meet Our Team
Our staff may be dispersed geographically, but we’re united in our determination to make sure good food doesn’t get wasted! Learn more about us!
Board of Directors
These amazing volunteers provide oversight and governance and share their expertise with us. We are so grateful for all of the time and effort our board members put into making sure that Leftovers is the best organization it can be.
Oluwaseun
Ajila
Treasurer
Committee Members
In addition to our board members, we have extra support from volunteers who work at the committee level participating in HR/Governance, Fund Development, Audit and Finance or Strategy.
