The Lethbridge Food Bank in Lethbridge, Alberta, officially received the Standards of Excellence accreditation from Food Banks Canada on March 24, 2026. This national recognition confirms the organization meets 78 specific standards across its operations, including food safety, financial management, and how it cares for clients. The food bank has been serving the community from its location on 2nd Avenue South since 1982.
To achieve this status, the organization had to prove it follows best practices for legal compliance, fundraising, and public engagement. This designation is becoming a requirement for the national network, as Food Banks Canada set a deadline of March 2026 for all its members to become accredited. Moving forward, the national body plans to primarily provide funding to organizations that have met these high standards.
The accreditation comes at a time of high demand for local support services. In 2025, the Lethbridge Food Bank helped 11,813 households, which represented a 24 percent increase in the number of food hampers delivered compared to the previous year. The organization supported nearly 27,000 people during that time, including over 7,600 children, and welcomed 562 first-time clients to the facility.
Lethbridge now has two nationally accredited food banks, as the Interfaith Food Bank Society of Lethbridge also reached this milestone in late 2025. Dale Zielke, the president of the Lethbridge Food Bank, noted that the achievement is a credit to the staff, volunteers, and donors who work to improve food security for the city of over 100,000 residents.
Community members who want to support the organization can participate in the Birdies for Kids program. This initiative allows for donations to be matched by up to 50 percent, helping the food bank maintain its operations. In 2025 alone, local volunteers contributed more than 14,000 hours of service to help manage the growing need for food assistance.
