The Union Protein Project is a non-profit society started in 2006 by unions and the United Way who saw an opportunity to make a real difference in local communities. This community partnership is dedicated to addressing the shortage of protein-enriched foods in food banks around the province while also highlighting how unions and union jobs can play a role in alleviating food insecurity in British Columbia.
In 2006, John Radosovic, then President of the United Fisherman and Allied Workers’ Union (UFAWU), officially launched Protein for People (P4P) as a nonprofit organization. Prior to its formal establishment, John had been managing the project off the side of his desk, initially purchasing canned salmon and donating it to the Surrey Food Bank with various union support. What began as a small project, quickly grew into a powerful force for good!
When John retired from UFAWU in 2004, he realized that the project needed to stand on its own. He shared his vision with close colleagues, Mervyn Van Steinburg and Caroline Rice who were inspired and agreed to help. This collective effort transformed the project into Protein for People, and it began raising funds with support from multiple unions.
Initially, six unions joined P4P, and the network quickly grew. The expanding support highlighted the need to partner with more food banks, especially as unions wanted to contribute to local food banks in their own regions.
John’s previous experience in the fishing industry led him to valuable connections that proved crucial for Protein for People. Leveraging these relationships, he secured a vital agreement for free shipping through the major grocery store chain, Save On Foods. This key arrangement facilitated the smooth transition of goods from purchase to distribution and was established around 2006. For a few years, the initiative operated under this model, with Protein for People buying and donating products without cost-sharing with the food banks.
However, around 2011, John met the head of Food Banks BC who suggested perhaps subsidizing food banks rather than donating food outright. They were already buying additional protein products at full retail prices. By purchasing these items in bulk at a discount and selling them to the food banks at a lower price, Protein for People could help the food banks stretch their budgets further. This approach promised greater savings and allowed for more substantial quantities of food to be acquired at reduced rates.
In 2018, Protein for People rebranded into The Union Protein Project, to more accurately reflect the involvement of Unions and their contributions. UPP has added two more products, including canned tuna and all-natural peanut butter.
Because of John’s irreplaceable ability to relationship build, this set the foundation for years of growth and success. His unwavering commitment and innovative approach have significantly enhanced the organization’s impact, making a difference in countless lives in the process. We want to say a huge thanks to John for his dedication to the project over the years—“thank you” just doesn’t seem like it’s enough!
Foods rich in protein remain highly desired in food banks because they offer essential nutrients for our diets. However, they are costly and donated less often than other foods. Understanding this, UPP wanted to help bridge the gap and offer a solution to the shortage of protein that food banks are experiencing. According to Food Banks BC, 30% of food bank users are children, and protein plays a vital role in a child’s growth and development.
The Union Protein Project was founded by union members who saw need in their communities and wanted to help, Unions are committed to the wellbeing of their members and the labour movement is engaged in working towards more just, resilient, and inclusive communities where no one goes hungry.
A good job is a key to addressing food insecurity. Union jobs offer higher wages, health, pension and other benefits and better working conditions, which hold the potential to alleviate many challenges that individuals and families currently face, while also providing for a secure retirement.
“What we desire for ourselves, we wish for all.” –JS Wordsworth
We also work on raising awareness around food insecurity, combatting food waste, the need for a robust agricultural sector with good, family supporting jobs. It is also important to us that we share new and innovative solutions to addressing hunger. We have hosted webinars sharing information and ideas and will do more of this important work.