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Loop Program

Loop program MOOving along bad food to farm animals

Mar 17, 2022 | 3:48 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – A food waste reduction program started in Northern BC has grown exponentially in popularity, so much it is now being offered across Canada.

The Loop Resource program originally started about four years ago in Dawson Creek, BC with one farm, and one store participating but it has since exploded in popularity.

“It’s a simple idea that food we can’t sell and we can’t donate should go back to food in our community,” said Jamie White, part of Loop Resources. “The best way to do that is feeding animals the things that are good for animals to eat.”

Recently, farmers in Prince George got more opportunities to take part as the local Superstore joined in along with Save On Foods who are all sending food to farmers instead of the landfill.

Over 2500 farms across the country are now taking part in the initiative which sees food not fit for sale, and not fit for human consumption collected from grocery stores and put aside for farm animals.

The Chillo Creek Ranch located west of Prince George near Mud River is one of many ranches in our region participating.

“This program has actually made raising pigs financially viable in a way,” said Tim Saunders, Owner of the Chillo Creek Ranch.

According to Loblaws, they couldn’t be happier to participate locally.

“As a company, we are setting and meeting aggressive food waste targets. We’ve already reduced our operational food waste by 86% across our business five years ahead of schedule and continue to look for innovative solutions, like Loop, to do even more,” said a Loblaws spokesperson.

Those interested in participating in the program including grocers and ranchers are encouraged to visit the Loop website to sign up.

The Loop program looks to continue improving as well with conversations with Canadian food officials about packaging and limiting environmental impacts as much as possible.