The Regina Food Bank has opened the country’s first full-scale free grocery store, known as the Community Food Hub. It looks and feels just like a regular supermarket, with aisles full of fruits, vegetables, dairy, and everyday items, but everything inside is free for those who need it.
Instead of handing out pre-packed food boxes, the Regina Food Bank allows people to walk through the store, fill a cart, and choose what they want to take home. BMO Bank of Montreal and several local partners support the project. It aims to restore a sense of dignity, choice, and independence for people facing food insecurity.
The store is located at Regina, and unlike many other small community food programs that run in church basements or temporary centers, this one is open all week and built just like a professional supermarket. It has wide aisles, large fridges filled with dairy and produce, and an atmosphere that makes people feel welcome rather than judged.
“None of us fit in a box, but that’s what we give our clients today,” said David Froh, Vice-President of the Regina Food Bank, during an interview with CBC News. “When you give choices, you give not just dignity, but actually, we figure we can feed about 25% more people.”
This statement shows what makes the Community Food Hub so unique. It is not just about providing food, but about giving people the freedom to make their own decisions. The old system of handing out identical boxes of food often created waste.
Many families received items they couldn’t eat because of allergies, dietary limits, or simple taste preferences. Now, clients can pick what they actually want to use, which means less food ends up in the trash and more people get what they truly need.
One of the clients explained how the old way did not always work for everyone. “Normally, I barter with my neighbors and we swap back and forth, so it kind of works out that way. But a lot of people don’t do that,” he said. “So there’s a lot of stuff that just goes to waste.”
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The new free grocery store model helps reduce that problem. It provides flexibility and respect. People walk in, grab a basket, and shop like any other customer. They do not have to wait in line for a food parcel or feel ashamed for needing help.
The Regina Food Bank serves a large number of residents, and not all of them are unemployed. About 18% of its clients work full-time, yet still struggle to afford groceries because of inflation and the rising cost of living.
The organization also supports over 2,000 students with school meals and snacks. The Food Hub aims to make food support more inclusive by showing that needing help does not mean failure.
“Part of our goal with the Food Hub is to change the narrative,” Froh said. “We want people to see this as a place of community, not charity.”
Building such an innovative project was not easy. Food banks in Canada do not receive government funding, so the Regina Food Bank had to raise all the money privately. The team gathered CAD $3.7 million through donations from individuals, companies, and organizations. Some people gave small amounts, while larger partners like The Mosaic Company donated up to $1 million to help make the dream possible.
Many of the products inside the Food Hub are grown or produced in Saskatchewan. This approach helps local farmers and ensures that clients receive healthy, sustainable food options. It also strengthens the local economy while promoting environmentally friendly practices.
The Community Food Hub is open seven days a week and looks identical to any commercial grocery store. The layout and design were carefully planned to make customers feel at ease.
The shopping carts, labels, and organized sections all add to the experience of independence, something that traditional food banks often lack. This new concept has already gained national attention. It combines modern retail design with social compassion, creating a bridge between charity and dignity.
