Esquimalt food pantry forced to relocate over safety concerns

Every day, the shelves inside a small community pantry in Esquimalt are emptied almost as quickly as volunteers can fill them.

The pantry near Lyall Street, run by Esquimalt Mutual Aid, opened in September, and has become a vital stop for people struggling to afford groceries. It’s built on a simple idea: take what you need, leave what you can, the pantry operates 24 hours a day with no barriers to access.

Founder Joni Oldhoff says the response has been overwhelming.

“We have fed probably hundreds of people, if not thousands,” said Oldhoff. “I can’t keep it stocked more than 30 minutes, generally.”

Now, the Township of Esquimalt says the pantry must be removed after bylaw complaints revealed it partially sits on municipal land. Officials also raised concerns about food safety after dairy, meat and expired items were found inside without refrigeration.

“Their heart is in the absolute right place,” said Mayor Barbara Desjardins. “We just need to make sure for the overall community that the food is going to be safe.”

In a statement to CTV News, the township said the pantry also presents liability concerns and would still need to comply with bylaws and provincial food safety regulations if relocated.

Island Health says it has provided guidance on safe food handling practices to the township related to the pantry, noting that high-risk foods should be protected from heat and direct sunlight.

For nearby resident Gena Orton, the pantry represents something bigger than a box of groceries.

“It’s a cost-of-living crisis right now,” Orton said. “The fewer restrictions we can have on accessing food, the better.”

Oldhoff says the pantry is already being moved onto private property a block away, where organizers also plan to install a community fridge.

“We’re not deterred, and we are going to continue feeding our neighbourhood,” said Oldhoff.

The new location will be about a block away at 491 Fraser St.