Global Donut Days 2026, On Two Wheels

On October 24, 2026, 23 riders braved the pouring rain to join Nanaimo Prosperity Corporation for Global Donut Days on Two Wheels. Over 16 kilometres and two and a half hours, we explored places and initiatives that contribute to a thriving Nanaimo, one that supports people’s wellbeing and protects the natural environment we all depend on. 

Along the route, we made three stops to see Doughnut Economics in action. From an urban food forest to a transformed industrial site and a regional food recovery centre, each stop is an example of how we can create the conditions for people and nature to thrive as Nanaimo continues to grow. 

Beaufort Park Food Forest: Growing More Than Food

Our first stop was Beaufort Park Food Forest, an urban space designed to demonstrate edible landscaping. Its story began in the early 2000s, when Nanaimo resident Michael Geselbracht imagined transforming a vacant blackberry-covered lot into a place where people could grow and harvest fruit. With the City’s permission, he brought in pigs to help clear the overgrowth, camping nearby for a few weeks to keep watch over them. Today, that once-overgrown space is home to more than 40 fruit trees, native plants, bees and much more. 

The food forest is flourishing thanks to dedicated local volunteers working in partnership with the City of Nanaimo. Youth, families, and neighbours come together to care for the gardens and trees, share knowledge about local food growing and enjoy the abundance the plants provide.

The food forest shows how locally led initiatives can strengthen community connections, build resilience, and create opportunities for people to connect with nature. 

As the rain continued falling, a warm cup of coffee from Drip Coffee gave us a boost before we continued our ride. We followed the E&N Trail through Beban Park and made our way to a shining example of cycling infrastructure.

Midtown Gateway: Rethinking What Infrastructure Can Do

Our second stop was Midtown Gateway, where the City of Nanaimo turned a former brownfield industrial site shaped by coal mining into a new neighbourhood gateway. An engineered wetland helps improve water quality, provide habitat, store carbon, and manage stormwater, while more than two kilometres of new walking and cycling pathways create safer, more connected routes and improve access to Beban Park. The site also lays the groundwork for future mixed-use development, including housing and employment opportunities. 

At the halfway point of our ride, we paused for some well-earned Harbour City donuts before setting off to our third stop.

Tom Harris Regional Food Centre: Connecting Surplus Food with Communities

At our final stop, the newly opened Tom Harris Regional Food Centre, we learned how regional food recovery strengthens food security while reducing waste. 

Operated by Loaves & Fishes, the centre collects surplus food from local grocers and warehouses that might otherwise go to waste. That food is then redistributed to schools, households and community organizations, reaching more than 40 communities across Vancouver Island and the B.C. Coast, as far away as Haida Gwaii.

The new 24,000-square-foot facility brings food recovery, storage, a free food market and volunteer operations together under one roof. With expanded capacity, Loaves and Fishes can recover more food, reduce waste, and help meet the growing community needs. 

In 2025 alone, Loaves & Fishes rescued over 3.2 million pounds of food, helping feed over 15,000 people.  By diverting this food from going to landfills, this prevented an estimated 8-9 million pounds of CO2 emissions from entering the atmosphere. 

From the food centre, we made our way through Bowen Park, along the new bike lane on Fifth Street through the Old City quarter, before returning to downtown Nanaimo, where freshly made Milk Jam Donuts were waiting for us! A perfect end to the day of exploring Doughnut Economics. 

Thanks to Our Riders, Volunteers and Partners

The ride reminded us that a thriving Nanaimo is not built in one place or by one organization. It grows from the many relationships, ideas and actions that shape our community every day.

Thank you to everyone who made this event a success, especially the riders, young and old, who braved the rain. Special thanks to Evolve e-bikes for providing free use of their e-bikes and on-site support, and to Critical Mass and the Nanaimo Area Cycling Coalition for spreading the word and sharing tips on riding safely as a larger group. We are also grateful to our local bike shops, community groups and CHLY radio for helping us reach more riders, and to the volunteers at Beaufort Park Food Forest for welcoming us. It was wonderful to see so many people come together to explore our community.

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If you have any more questions or would like to get involved, reach out to Living Systems Coordinator, Anni Thesen, at anni@investnanaimo.com.