Evidence note: The Reel’s visible claim says Quest sells groceries for “50% less than a regular store.” Daily Hive reports shoppers pay about half of what the same food would cost at a commercial discount grocery store. NewsForBC did not independently price-check a basket, so this article treats the 50% figure as a Dished/Daily Hive-reported claim, not a new NewsForBC measurement.
What the Reel says
The Facebook Reel, shared from Dished Vancouver, presents Quest Non-Profit Grocery Markets as a Metro Vancouver option for people and families facing food insecurity. The visible text says Quest has four locations, collects surplus food, lets eligible shoppers shop “like a traditional grocery store,” and charges about 50% less.
The video shows grocery aisles, produce displays and shoppers, framing the model as a dignity-based alternative between emergency food-bank access and commercial grocery pricing.
What Quest says it does
Quest Outreach Society says it exists to disrupt the cycle of food insecurity through access to healthy and affordable food sourced sustainably. Its website describes the model as bridging the gap between food banks and traditional grocery stores, using principles of dignity, access and sustainability.
Quest’s “Our Story” page says the organization has operated since 1990, originally as a soup kitchen in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, and was incorporated as Quest Outreach Society in 1992. It says almost all of Quest’s food is donated by local food partners from across British Columbia, then distributed through Metro Vancouver market locations.
Who can use it?
211 BC describes Quest as serving people living on low income through not-for-profit grocery markets, an online market, and gift certificates through community partners. The 211 listing says the markets are open to card-carrying food-bank clients, income-assistance recipients, or people referred by a social service agency, community-serving charity or nonprofit, church, professional or organization supporting people facing economic barriers.
211 BC says clients who present a food-bank ID card or assistance documentation at the market can be automatically approved and issued a Quest Client ID.
Quest market contact information
- Main / Dundas: 2020 Dundas Street, Vancouver, BC V5L 1J4 · 604-602-0186
- Hastings: 637 E. Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC V6A 1R2 · 604-253-2078
- Burnaby: 7753 6th Street, Burnaby, BC V3N 3M9 · 604-553-0636
- North Vancouver: 167 1st Street East, North Vancouver, BC V7L 1B2, Lolo Lane entrance · 604-566-0110
- General email listed by 211 BC: info@questoutreach.org
- General fax listed by 211 BC: 604-682-3494
- Hours listed by Quest: Monday–Friday 9 a.m.–6 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Sunday and holidays closed.
- Surrey note: Quest’s website lists Surrey as closed due to a fire and directs people to other markets in Burnaby, North Vancouver or Vancouver.
Why this matters for B.C.
Food affordability is no longer a side issue in Metro Vancouver. A model like Quest’s is important because it combines food rescue, low-cost shopping, referral pathways and personal choice. It is not the same as a food bank and not the same as a commercial discount grocer; it is a middle lane for people who need ongoing relief while still choosing what to buy.
That model also raises a public-policy question: if a community nonprofit can stretch grocery dollars by collecting surplus food and running low-cost markets, how many more B.C. communities could support similar food-rescue grocery systems through donations, local governments, grocers, farms, wholesalers and social-service partners?