Ribbon Grocery

Food is a huge part of culture, community, and wellness. For decades, Ribbon has been home to a free Grocery program for people living with HIV. Collaboration with volunteers, partners, donors, and staff make this program possible today. We operate twice per month in Vancouver, and as of 2025, once per month in Surrey. Ribbon Grocery provides people living with HIV and their families a range of free produce, protein, pantry and hygiene items to choose from. This program provides practical support for community members experiencing income or food insecurity. Ribbon Grocery offers a mix of food items we purchase to distribute to our communities with input from our clients, and food items that are donated to us while they are still safe to consume but past their best before date.

How do I register for Grocery?

People living with HIV can access Ribbon Grocery in Vancouver or Surrey. To register for our Vancouver location, community members can connect with our case managers by phone (604-893-2201) or in-person during our drop in hours, typically 10am - 4pm Mondays through Thursday. Ribbon Community is closed during stat holidays. 

When coming to Grocery, please keep in mind our commitment to a welcoming and respectful space. Please help us make Ribbon welcoming to everyone in our communities by challenging stigma, racism, homophobia, transphobia, sexism, and other forms of violence.

Thank You

Volunteers contribute hundreds of hours each year to make this program possible. Volunteer roles include picking up food items, receiving deliveries, welcoming clients to the space, and accompanying clients as they shop the space.

The Grocery Program is made possible with significant financial contributions from a BC Community Grant and Vancouver Coastal Health. Individual donors, including funds housed at the Vancouver Foundation, corporate donors, in-kind donations, and ongoing relationships with local food security organizations including the Greater Vancouver Food Bank, make this program possible.

To support the Grocery Program as a volunteer or donor, get in touch with our Executive Director calling 604-696-4655 or emailing [email protected].