Fruit and vegetable growers from across Ontario have donated $25,000 to help fight hunger in the province. The contribution from the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association (OFVGA) is going to Second Harvest, Canada’s largest food rescue charity that redistributes nutritious but unsold food through school programs, seniors’ centres, shelters, food banks and regional food hubs.

This year’s donation coincides with Local Food Week, which marks a celebration of all the fresh, healthy food grown in Ontario, as well as recognition for all the hard work farmers do to produce food for Ontarians.

“What better way to celebrate Local Food Week than to make this donation to Second Harvest to support their tremendous efforts in reducing both hunger and food waste,” says potato grower and OFVGA chair Shawn Brenn, representing 3,500 growers. “As farmers, we’re so grateful for the continued support we receive from Ontarians and this is just a small way for us to say thank-you, by giving back to our communities and helping those in need.”

While many individual farmers regularly support their local food banks and programs that promote healthy eating, this is the third year in a row the OFVGA has made a direct donation of $25,000.

Second Harvest, based in Toronto, provides free food redistribution service to charities, non-profits and Indigenous communities in every Canadian province and territory. In more than 35 years, the organization has rescued more than 53 million pounds of healthy food, keeping it out of landfills, and preventing 162 million pounds of greenhouse gases from entering the atmosphere.

“Year after year, the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association has made sizeable donations to support putting healthy and nutritious food on the plates of people who need it the most. This latest $25,000 contribution will immediately be put to work, and directly aid the fights against food waste and food insecurity in Ontario,” says Lori Nikkel, CEO of Second Harvest. “The immense impact of the grower’s continued support of Second Harvest cannot be overstated!” 

Source:  Ontario Fruit & Vegetable Growers’ Association June 6, 2023 news release