Chalmers neighbourhoods ‘Better Access to Groceries’ program expands

More affordable groceries are coming to residents of Winnipeg’s Chalmers neighbourhood. The Better Access Groceries (BAG) Program is expanding to keep up with the demand of families who rely on their services, by operating on a weekly basis moving forward. 

“It’s that ripple effect, it affects and impacts all the families within Elmwood and Chalmers, so we are looking at ways to meet the needs and address those needs,” explained Leilani Villarba, the executive director of the Chalmers Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation.

With food prices expected to increase by 3-5 per cent in 2025, the Chalmers Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation says food insecurity is at an all-time high and the BAG program has been a popular way to reduce the impacts.

“It’s been pretty good it’s actually been helping fill in the blanks that we need that we can’t get because the prices are too high,” said Victoria Ungerer, a BAG Program participant.

Kathy Kost, another BAG Program participant adds, “It makes a huge difference because there are so many community members that are struggling… to keep food prices down and to be able to utilize something like this is just fabulous.”

The non-profit program operates out of Chalmers Community Centre and provides over 300 families access to fresh and low-cost fruits and vegetables. Their team has partnered with Sobeys, to purchase in bulk, which allows for them to discount it enough to provide the community with a lower cost.

“Those staples are really important to get into the community and at the cost were able to provide them, it’s so much better for our vulnerable population and our low-income and our seniors, just to be able to get it somewhere so close to them,” explained Villarba.

Kost saying, “Where else can you go? Can you go to the grocery store and get a bag of food for $10 with vegetables, produce and look at this… it makes it hugely, hugely affordable.

The BAG program offers the option of $5 or $10, and participants must be registered to participate.

“Our waiting list was literally over 1,000 people,” Villarba explained.

Villarba says they hope the expansion will allow them to serve everyone on the list, but it will depend on if their suppliers can manage the demand.