Over time, and with generous financial support and community partnerships, YCS has been able to implement several food security initiatives and programs to the Clearwater area.
Click on the items below to expand more information about these services
Neighborhood Kitchen
Attending a Neighbourhood Kitchen session at YCS is a great way to learn to cook healthy meals ‘from scratch’, get great recipes, meet new people, and also take some prepared food to enjoy at home as well!
Volunteers guide participants through the whole preparation process – step by step – and also teach food preservation and learning to cook foods in season. Those participating in this program may also apply for a bed to use in the Community Garden - it’s a great opportunity to grow your own fresh produce! Come alone…or bring a friend or two with you!
Neighbourhood Kitchen sessions take place every Wednesday, 9:30am – Noon at the Dutch Lake Community Centre. Cost is $10/per session. Subsidies are available for low income participants. Registration is required. Click here for the Registration Form.
The BC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Coupon Program is a healthy eating initiative that supports farmers’ markets and strengthens food security across British Columbia. YCS is able to hand out coupons to lower-income families and seniors participating in their programs. These coupons can be spent at all BC farmers' markets that participate in the FMNCP to purchase fruits, vegetables, cheese, eggs, nuts, fish, honey and meat. Each household enrolled in the program is eligible to receive a minimum of $27/week in coupons.
The Clearwater Farmers Market and Yellowhead Community Services have partnered to deliver this program to 20 low income families, pregnant women and seniors in Clearwater.
Yellowhead Community Services Community Garden welcomes you! We are excited about food sustainability and are happy to provide a plot of soil for you to grow food for your household. Each gardener will have access to a raised box of garden soil connected to an automatic watering system, shared garden tools, compost and a share of the fruit from our fruit trees and berry bushes. Contact the Food Security Program Coordinator for more information.
2022 Clearwater Community Garden – Garden Application and Agreement
For some of us the holiday season is a time of decadent turkey dinners and gifts under the tree, but for others, it is a time of stress and financial pressure. In December of each year, we collect donations and partner with other agencies to provide a nutritious food hamper and grocery card for vulnerable households in the community and help spread a little yummy glow during the holidays. If you would like to donate, or to sign up to receive a hamper, please contact the Food Security Program Coordinator.
The Lending Cupboard is a free to use lending library of food preservation equipment and supplies – canning equipment, dehydrators, juicers and more!
We also welcome donations of equipment and canning jars.
Reduce food waste and help feed your community! Volunteer gleaning crews pick unwanted fruit or garden vegetables and split the pickings between the pickers and charitable food programs such as:
Volunteers wanted! To volunteer or request a picking, please contact Food Security Program Coordinator.
Connecting people in the kitchen, teaching hands-on cooking skills and making healthy eating, grocery shopping and cooking easy, quick and fun!
Programs run over the course of six weeks with one session taking place each week and are led by trained facilitators. Contact Food Security Program Coordinator for upcoming dates.
BC CDC -Food Skills For Families
Food security starts with seed security! Local gardeners and seed savers donate their seed to the collection, which is available to everyone in the community. When you “check out” seed, we ask that you also donate some seed or make a small cash donation. In this way, we will always have seed available! Seed Library is on display at the Dutch Lake Community Centre or at the annual Seedy Saturday event held on the first Saturday in April in Clearwater.
For more information on seed saving in BC and beyond, check out these great organisations:
Thanks to a generous donation from the Fraser Basin Youth Council, there are now 2 high capacity tumbling composting units for the Community Garden and the surrounding community to use for green waste disposal! One of the units is at the YCS Community Garden site and another is at the Dutch Lake Community Centre. Please contact the Coordinator to get your free kitchen collection pail become a registered user. Registered users are also allowed a share of the finished compost for their own us
The Soup Kettle is open to everyone. Held on Fridays from October to April, homemade soup and buns are served to the public, by donation. Soups are available to take-away, delivery or sit and enjoy your meal with friends. Open from 12:00 - 1:00pm at the Dutch Lake Community Centre.
Funding for this program is provided through a BC Community Gaming grant.
To request delivery, call the Dutch Lake Community Centre reception with your order before 11:00 am on Friday mornings 250-674-3530
For more information on any of our programs, please contact us:
Food Security Program Coordinator Joanna Hurst Phone: 250.674.1472 Email: Joanna Hurst