Volunteers putting together Good Food Boxes.
Image Credit: Food Action Society of the North Okanagan
March 20, 2018 - 2:39 PM
VERNON - Community members have rallied to save the longstanding Good Food Box program in the North Okanagan.
After an announcement earlier this month that the Food Action Society of the North Okanagan was terminating the program, a group of volunteers say the box will soon be back.
“We’re hoping for April, but at the latest we’ll be back in May,” Good Food Box volunteer Tara Bradley says.
She says there was an immediate response from community members to save the program, including efforts by Spallumcheen councillor Christine Fraser who obtained a substantial donation from local business Hytec - A Kohler Company.
“Christine secured funds within two days,” Bradley says. “Hytec-Kohler was fabulous, they came up with the money no questions asked.”
The challenge now is ensuring people are aware the program is not actually shutting down. Public participation in the monthly $17 box of fruits and vegetables is key; without ample buying power, the box — which increases food security for low income residents — is not affordable.
Bradley says the silver lining is that with news of its closure, awareness of the program, and its need in the community, has spread.
“The feedback I’ve gotten is ‘I didn’t even know about this program, now I do.’ Then there’s people who are like ‘I’ve known about this program and it’s been a plan for me to access the box and I just haven’t done it yet and now it’s not there.’ There’s so many people who didn’t realize that purchasing the box is such a drastic support to the program,” Bradley says.
She’s also heard stories of relief from people who relied on the affordable supply of healthy food.
“The reason (pick up day) was chosen to be the third week of the month is that’s pretty much when you’re running out of money,” Bradley says. “People’s cupboards are getting pretty bare at that point.”
She says the program averages about 400 boxes per month. Increasing that to 500 per month through public participation would greatly bolster the program’s sustainability, Bradley says.
Customers can either buy a $17 box, or choose to buy a $20 sustainability box, where the extra $3 goes towards the program.
Anyone interested in getting a Good Food Box can go here for updates.
The Good Food Box has been running for roughly 17 years in the North Okanagan.
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