Our Stats Explained
When we create insights for our clients, we place value in a clear and user-friendly experience. In order to understand our reports to their fullest extent, we have compiled commonly used terms and trusted sources so that you can trace the unique impact fingerprint of your data.
Our data comes from a combination of sources: the data we receive from your individual charitable organization (which is often a combination of Link2Feed, Donor Perfect, FoodMesh and other software reports), as well as external sources for perspective and benchmarking. When you read our reports, you know that the numbers reflected can be traced back to reputable and accurate information.
Our trusted sources
Food Bank Insight
Meal
A "meal" is considered a grouping of food from at least 3 different food groups, and consisting of around 544 grams.
Source: FoodMesh
Food Recovery Value
Food Banks Canada values food recovery at $8.02/kg. This number changes annually, and includes an average associated cost of waste disposal.
Source: Food Banks Canada
Purchasing Power
This refers to a food bank's individual ability to multiply donor dollars, based on partnerships with surrounding businesses, farms, distribution centres, and other food retailers. This number will be an internally reported statistic, and differ from one food bank to the next.
How we Calculate Environmental Impact
CO2 Emissions
This total is calculated based on your charity's diverted food waste, with programs like Food Recovery and composting. The total kg of food diverted from the landfill is converted into kg of COâ‚‚ emissions, and we are able to share some interesting statistics surrounding this number.
Source: NRCAN
Vehicles
Once we have the total kg of COâ‚‚ emissions that have been prevented from entering the atmosphere, we are able to calculate the equivalence in motor vehicles that have been removed from the road per year. This total comes from averages in vehicle size, fuel economy, and local annual distance travelled. This is a rough calculation, but an impactful visualization.
Source: NRCAN
Growing Trees
We can also determine a rough comparison between the amount of kg of COâ‚‚ emissions and a single mature tree growing for an entire year. This determination comes from peer reviewed sources about the average kg of COâ‚‚ emissions removed by a single mature tree (dependant on several factors like size, species, location, and climate). This is a rough calculation, but an impactful visualization.
Source: MIT Climate Portal
Single Passenger round-trip Flights (Canada)
Based on the amount of kg of COâ‚‚ emissions diverted, we are able to estimate an approximation of how many single passenger round-trip flights (Vancouver to Toronto) were reduced. This determination comes from the International Air Transport Association IATA, based on an average of 1000kg of COâ‚‚ per round-trip per passenger. There are several factors that might change this number such as type of airplane, climate/weather changes, flight capacity and passenger weight. This is a rough calculation, but an impactful visualization.
Source: IATA
Additional Benchmarking Sources
Employment Rates
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Canadian Consumer Price Index (2025)
(Overview 1914-present) Source found here
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Canadian Gross Domestic Product (2025)
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Carbon Calculator
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Living Wage Calculator
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Natural Resources Canada Calculator (NRCAN)
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Food Banks Canada Annual report (2025)
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Canada's Energy Future to 2050
Our Glossary of Terms
Commonly used terms for understanding your report
These definitions will help you understand the metrics and terminology used throughout your report. Each charity might have their own unique quantities and percentages to add more context to these terms. We work closely with our clients to ensure that their details are defined.
Hamper
A bundle of food items (also called a basket or box) distributed to a household. One hamper typically feeds a family for several days. Important to note that not all food banks have hamper models, and instead some use self serve/shopping models.
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Food Recovery
The process of collecting surplus food from retailers, farms, and distributors that would otherwise go to waste. This surplus gets processed through the food bank, sorted and redistributed.
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Valuation of Food Recovery (2026 $8.02/kg)
Every year, Food Banks Canada releases an updated and standardized rate for calculating the dollar value of donated food, ensuring consistent reporting across all Canadian food banks. This year, that means that every 1 kg of food that comes through the food recovery program is valued at $8.02.
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Utilization Rate
The percentage of rescued food that is able to be distributed to clients. Some rescued food cannot be used due to spoilage or quality issues. Utilization rates will change from one food bank to the next.
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Unique Household
A distinct family unit registered with the food bank or charity, counted once regardless of how many times they visit.
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Unique Individuals
Each person counted once, regardless of how many times they visited. This gives us an accurate picture of how many people we're reaching.
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Food Bank Visits
The total number of times a client or household came to receive food assistance. One household or individual may have multiple visits throughout the year.
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Equivalent Meals
A calculation that converts kilograms of food into approximate meal portions (1 meal = 544g, and at least 3 food groups present. Based on industry standards FoodMesh).
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In-Kind Donations
Non-cash contributions such as donated food, supplies, volunteer hours and other services.
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Year-Over-Year (YoY)
A comparison between the same metric in two consecutive years, expressed as a percentage change.
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