Alberta Health Services shuts down Southern Community Food Security Society in Raymond

Posted on August 20, 2026 by admin

By Kristine Jean
Southern Alberta Newspapers

As many Albertans continue to struggle with rising food costs, those needing help in the Town of Raymond will have one less resource to turn to, following the closure of the Southern Community Food Security Society.  

Last week, Alberta Health Services (AHS) shut down the Southern Community Food Security Society over several public health concerns, including safe food handling and food storage. The order noted conditions existed in and about the premises “which are or may become injurious or dangerous to the public health or which might hinder in any manner the prevention or suppression of disease.” 

Some of those concerns included several dozen cartons of eggs that were not properly refrigerated for an extended period of time, several cases of toddler formula with an expiration date of May 2026, severely dented cans and canned foods that had the label removed or were not properly labelled, as well as canned foods that were labelled ‘Family Canning – Not for Sale’ that were found on the storage shelf. 

In addition, the order stated that access to the hand washing sink was impeded and blocked, the food establishment was overcrowded and disorganized, and it was difficult to properly carry out the inspection, due to the volume of material and the disorganization of the storage area.

In a social media post late Monday night, Southern Community Food Security Society shared the news and a Notice of Closure to their Facebook page. 

“As of August 17, 2026, Southern Community Food Security and Southern Community Thrift will be officially closing our doors and both charities will no longer be operating. No food will be distributed through our organization and the thrift store will cease to take donations or selling goods,” read the Facebook post. 

“We are so thankful for those in the community that have supported our mission these last five years. We are honored to have helped thousands of families and individuals during that incredible time. We cannot thank our team of loyal and tireless volunteers enough for the countless hours they have poured into these charities; they have truly made a difference in so many lives.” 

A Facebook post dated Dec. 7, 2022, states the organization consisted of family members who have lived and farmed in Southern Alberta for more than seven generations. It notes the family has been involved in food rescue operations for more than four years.

Southern Community Food Security Society (SCFSS) became a non-profit organization in September 2022 and was a grassroots movement, with most of the sponsorship from area residents and no corporate sponsorship or grant funding. They also launched Southern Community Thrift, a not-for-profit sustainability project for SCFSS with 100 per cent of funds from the thrift operation used to further their food security mission and vision.  

“We have not made the decision to shut down operations lightly,” read the Facebook post, pointing out their struggle to maintain the charity, that included a shortage of volunteers to help handle and distribute “hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of food.” 

The post also spoke about community members who have supported the cause over the years, and those who have hindered it. 

“We also want to acknowledge the lack of support from the municipal government here in Raymond,” read the post. “Though there have certainly been members who have done incredible things to support our mission, some have put up major roadblocks to our success in helping relieve food insecurity in rural southern Alberta communities. With the continued lack of supports, we have been left with no choice.”  

With Southern Community Food Security Society now permanently closed, the former non-profit organization said they will be working with local charities to receive their goods, equipment and inventory as they dissolve their operations.

“We hope to make lasting ripples in other charities with what we have built here. Food security has always been our mission and we aim to benefit charities with like minded missions,” read the post. 

The organization apologized to those who will be affected by the society’s closing, and expressed their hope that others will be inspired to “pick up the torch” in their place and “work towards alleviating food insecurity for rural and small town neighbours.” 

“We are forever grateful to the businesses and donors who have supported us supporting the communities around us,” read the post. “We could not have done this without the local truckers, the local farmers or the multitudes of Hutterite colonies who have made sure the food could get where it needed to be.”