NEW FARM TAX CREDIT HELPS FOOD BANK ADD FRESH TO ITS DIET
Cobourg: In 2013 with the addition of a walk-in fridge (courtesy of Cameco, the Town of Cobourg, Delcom Management and others), Fare Share launched a number of campaigns to add “Fresh” to its diet. To date the Food Banks are happy to provide fresh milk, fruit and vegetables to help supplement what those less fortunate need to live.
Fare Share learned that a system for a Farm Tax Credit was going into final reading and today’s news is welcome relief. “In July, after our golf tournament used to fund our Need Milk program and one of our best financial campaigns to date”, offers Peter Gabany, Fare Share’s Communications Directory, “we actually saw our numbers (those accessing the food bank) go down - substantially. The bank was elated but guarded about releasing any news about the decline. Unfortunately, as we predicted, the numbers have shot back up for August and September. But along with our numbers and financial contributions the increase in “FRESH” food contributions have also escalated – a welcome addition.”
The Farm Tax Credit allows farmers and market gardeners with crops in bountiful supply or prior their ‘best before date’ to turn a donation in a tax credit. “It’s a win, win, win” says Executive Director Duncan Mackinnon, “the farmers are cutting back on waste, crops that don’t otherwise get to market or simply in abundant supply and farmers are compensated for donating. We would like nothing better than to supplement non-perishables with fresh”.
The food banks have another dilemma that a newly struck nutrition committee is working at. That being, what to do with “fresh”? Fare Share will work away at this problem while our shelves are being stocked with fresh foods. A gift from the Ganaraska Trail Public School of 43 pounds of tomatoes certainly didn’t stay on the shelf for very long”, says Food Bank Manager, Lori Vout, “they were gone the moment they came through the door. We are so very fortunate to have such generous people in our community.”
Farmers, market stalls and even amateur gardeners are encouraged to contact the food banks at admin@fareshare.ca or by calling 905-372-5308 on Wednesdays or Friday morning to arrange for Fresh Food pickup. HELP FEED OUR NEIGHBOURS