Foodservice

Greater Vancouver Food Bank launches vending machines at SkyTrain stations

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September 1, 2026

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The Greater Vancouver Food Bank has launched vending machines at two Vancouver SkyTrain stations to sell products made from surplus fruit that otherwise could go to waste, according to a Future of Good report. The pilot uses fruit that the nonprofit preserves through freeze-drying and juicing, extending its shelf life while creating products that can generate additional revenue. Proceeds from the machines will be reinvested in the food bank's programs and services.

One of the machines is located at Joyce-Collingwood station, which recorded nearly 5 million boardings in 2025 and ranked as the seventh-busiest station in the SkyTrain system. The initiative is part of the food bank's effort to find productive uses for excess produce after meeting the needs of clients and partner agencies. For example, a 340-kilogram bin of apples can produce about 238 liters of juice, most of which can be distributed through the organization's existing network.

The project also addresses the broader problem of food waste in Canada, where more than 46% of food is wasted annually, according to a 2024 Second Harvest report cited by Future of Good. The Greater Vancouver Food Bank has previously redirected excess produce to other organizations rather than discarding it, including sending more than 29,000 pounds of British Columbia-grown vegetables to the Regina Food Bank. The organization hopes the vending machine concept eventually can expand to schools and other community locations.