‘Perfect match’: Feed Nova Scotia welcomes Burger Week

Justine Gelevan doesn’t have to eat a burger to enjoy it.

As development manager for Feed Nova Scotia, Gelevan looks forward to Halifax Burger Week and the money it brings in to her organization.

“It’s a perfect match,” she said. “People going out and enjoying food and culture, and wanting to make sure that others can eat.”

Feed Nova Scotia has been the charitable recipient for Halifax Burger Week since the event started in 2013.

Burger Week was started by Coast Publishing, which publishes The Coast and Food + Drink City Guides. Restaurants sell burgers at a set price of $6 or higher, with the restaurant making a minimum donation of $1 to Feed Nova Scotia for each burger sold. A record 125 restaurants are participating in this year’s event, with 78 choosing to donate.

Gelevan said Burger Week has been a large contributor to Feed Nova Scotia. Over the last five years, Burger Week has raised over $175,000 in total, which has allowed the organization to distribute 260,000 meals.

“We have been blown away almost every year.  We have seen huge gains,” said Gelevan. “It’s been like a doubling effect each year, with last year being the most ever raised.”

In 2013, Feed Nova Scotia received $10,338. That doubled the next year to $20,305. In 2015, they doubled their numbers again, with $42,347. Donations dropped in 2016, but climbed to $67,733 last year.

Feed Nova Scotia distributes food to 146 food banks and meal programs in the province. Gelevan said each of these programs will be getting a small bite of the Burger Week donations.

Michael Roberts, general manager of Barrington Steakhouse, said they’re happy to participate.

“It is great having Feed Nova Scotia benefiting from this campaign as the food shortage is something that can’t be ignored,” he said in an email.

Burger Week runs March 22 to 28.