Code of Ethics

The Ethical Foodbanking Code 

Food Banks BC and its members believe that everyone in BC has the right to physical and economic access, at all times, to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food which meets their dietary needs and food preferences.  As part of this commitment, Food Banks BC and its members and associated agencies agree to abide by the following set of ethics: ​

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1. Provide food and other assistance to those needing help regardless of race, national or ethnic origin, citizenship, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, income source, age, and mental or physical ability. 

2. Treat all those who access services with the utmost dignity and respect. 

3. Implement best practices in the proper and safe storage and handling of food. 

4. Respect the privacy of those served and will maintain the confidentiality of personal information. 

5. Not sell donated food. 

6. Acquire and share food in a spirit of cooperation with other food banks and food programs. 

7. Strive to make the public aware of the existence of hunger, and of the factors that contribute to it. 

8. Recognize that food banks are not a viable long-term response to hunger and devote part of their activities to reducing the need for food assistance. 

9. Represent accurately, honestly, and completely their respective mission and activities to the larger community.