Your Plate and the Planet:
How Food Choices in the Bow Valley Can Make a Difference
Food systems are one of the biggest drivers of climate change making up over a third of global greenhouse gas emissions caused by human activity.
Did you know?
In Canada, 46% of food is wasted every year — much of it still edible (United Nations, Second Harvest).
In Canmore, 42% of landfill waste is food, and 9% could have been eaten. When food rots in landfill, it creates methane, a powerful greenhouse gas (Biosphere Institute).
The good news? Small shifts in how we eat, shop, and handle leftovers can cut emissions, save money, and strengthen our community. Keep reading to learn three key tips or click here for a downloadable infographic!
-
Simple Ways to Waste Less:
✅ Plan meals + shop with a list, or Be creative “Clean Fridge Hodge-Podge Meal” (Google all leftover items to find a recipe)
✅ Store food properly (fridge & pantry guides help!)
✅ Use portion control (try an online calculator if cooking for groups)
✅ Revive wilted veggies in ice water; use stale bread for croutons - some tricks to store herbs, vegetables
✅ Freeze leftovers or produce you can’t eat right away✅ Compost food scraps (free bins & kitchen pails available at Town Halls) - how much do you waste instead of incorporating into the meal? (chicken bones and root veggies scraps for broth)
✅Buy seasonal vegetables and fruit
-
Plant-based foods (beans, grains, veggies, fruits) usually have a much smaller footprint than meat and dairy.
Tips for Shifting Gently:
✅ Think 80/20 rule — small steps count.
✅ Add in more plants rather than “cutting out.”
✅ Use familiar flavours + recipes you already love.
✅ Cook and share with family or friends for support.
✅ Be kind to yourself — everyone’s on their own journey. -
Buying local means fewer food miles, fresher meals, and stronger community ties. Supporting just and sustainable food networks also means more equity and resilience.
How to participate in your Bow Valley food systems: ✅Banff Food Rescue: Wednesdays and Fridays from 6pm-7pm at 215 Banff Ave (Sundance Mall lower level) No ID required, suggested donation $??/bag ✅Canmore Food Recovery Barn: Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church (near Hospital), 1205 - 1st Ave; Tuesdays & Thursdays at 5:30 pm. ✅Canmore Food & Friends: Community dinner Mondays 5–7 PM @ St. Michael’s Church ✅Bow Valley Fresh Food Box: Enjoy fresh, healthy produce at a lower cost. Monthly boxes are filled with 15 seasonal fruits and vegetables. Order at www.bvfa.ca/bvffb. ✅Canmore Community Food Cupboard: A free, self-serve food cupboard stocked with dried, shelf-stable goods for anyone in need. Open Monday 9am-3pm, Tuesday 10am-4pm, and Friday 9am-3pm at Canmore Community Housing Office (729 10th Street #100, Canmore) ✅FoodHero (Safeway app) – buy discounted food nearing best-before
Harnessing the Power of Food
Harnessing the Power of Food was a series of hands-on workshops led in collaboration with the Co+Kitchen, bringing people together to cook, share a meal, and learn alongside one another. Through collective food preparation, participants explored how food can build community, foster connection, and create accessible entry points into conversations about sustainability, culture, and care.
Why is this work important?
We passionately believe that food connects community.
This workshop series brings people together through cooking, sharing, and learning while exploring how what we eat impacts our planet. Designed especially for new Canadians and other community members, these gatherings are about more than food: they're about building belonging, celebrating culture, and discovering practical, affordable ways to eat well and care for the environment.
Workshop #1: Flavours of Home
November 13, 2025 | Co+Kitchen
On November 13, community members gathered at Co+Kitchen for the first Harnessing the Power of Food workshop, Flavours of Home, which explored how food connects us to memory, culture, and belonging. Participants cooked and shared a plant-forward meal together, featuring an upside-down taco, mushroom donair, kidney bean dip, and a chipotle cream sauce served with seed crackers.
The workshop centered on community-building through collective cooking and conversation, creating a welcoming space for participants to learn from one another, share stories, and connect over food. The evening emphasized food as a tool for connection, creativity, and care with participants enjoying the meal together and taking leftovers home to extend the experience beyond the workshop.
“Great food and company! We enjoyed networking and learning together. ”
Workshop #2: Holiday Gatherings: Festive, Earth-Friendly, Multi-Cultural Feasts
December 11, 2025 | Co+Kitchen
On December 11, community members gathered at Co+Kitchen for a Harnessing the Power of Food workshop focused on cooking, learning, and sharing a meal together. Participants prepared pyrohy with three types of fillings, along with a chocolate pot infused with spiced chili and cinnamon, and chocolate bark with dried fruits.
To support accessibility and inclusion, complimentary tickets were offered to Ukrainian newcomers, ensuring the workshop was welcoming to those newer to the Bow Valley. The evening emphasized connection through collective cooking and conversation, with participants enjoying the meal together and leaving with leftovers to take home — extending the sense of care and nourishment beyond the workshop itself.
Harnessing the Power of Food Workshop #3: Peruvian & Chilean Cuisine
January 14, 2026 | Co+Kitchen
Our final workshop in the series was a beautiful celebration of food, culture, and community. Led by Nico Achondo (Rocky Mountain Meals), participants learned to prepare traditional Peruvian and Chilean dishes, including causa limeña—a dish rich with history, once made por la causa (“for the cause”) to support soldiers and families during the War of the Pacific. More than a cooking class, the evening was filled with stories, connection, and shared meaning. A heartfelt way to close the series, with deep gratitude to everyone who cooked, shared, and brought such warmth to the room.
Yuka’s vision for this project is rooted in her own journey. As a long-time permanent resident of Canada, she has firsthand experience navigating the challenges of building community in a new country. Inspired by the power of food to create connection and comfort, Yuka founded The Co+Kitchen to offer a welcoming space where people from all backgrounds can come together, share their stories, and support one another. Her lived experience continues to shape the inclusive, culturally responsive approach that drives this workshop series.
thank you to our funders
This project was made possible thanks to the Banff Canmore Foundation, Canmore Rotary Foundation and Town of Canmore Community Grant. Thank you for your generous support!