Midwest Food Resources Executive Director Vesna Fa shows some of the Fresh Food Boxes being packed Thursday. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW staff)

By Angela Brown

Nutritious food at the doorstep

Midwest Food Resources offers access to local produce at reasonable cost

Jan 28, 2021 | 4:05 PM

Families in West Central Saskatchewan can continue to access fresh produce over the winter close to home at a modest cost.

Non-profit organization Midwest Food Resources provides its Fresh Food Box Program to families in the Battlefords and surrounding area. There is also a program run out of its Lloydminster office.

Executive Director Vesna Fa was busy in North Battleford Thursday with the help of many volunteers packing 300 boxes of produce that include many locally grown food products.

“We have carrots, potatoes, onions, beets, and cabbages from local growers,” she said. “We are buying in bulk, and passing all the savings onto our customers.”

Fresh fruit is also provided through the program.

seeding

Lack of moisture allows some Sask. farmers to begin seeding early

Apr 25, 2024

FCC Agrispirit fund

AgriSpirit fund supports rural communities

Apr 24, 2024

Province says tax credit fuels investments in bioprocessing industry

Apr 23, 2024

Fa said usually it would more common to be packing 100 boxes for orders at this time, but there is increased demand this winter due to the pandemic with more people self-isolating and some communities in lockdown.

Concern for Youth is among the partner organizations helping pack food boxes.

“We are partnering with Midwest Foods, and they are graciously giving us 16 boxes every two weeks, to give to youth in the community,” Executive Director Dani Williams said.

Some of the other organizations partnering in the program are Battlefords Trade and Education Centre Inc., EQUIP – an off-campus alternative education program offered through North Battleford Comprehensive High School, Light of Christ Catholic School Division, and KidsFirst.

“This is a beautiful community. When I need the help they always come together. They are delivering boxes, helping to pack, and ordering for their clients,” Fa said.

She said with a number of First Nation communities on lock-down, Battle River Treaty 6 Health Centre is delivering food boxes to many families on reserves.

Many of the partners volunteer to help deliver food boxes. Fa said some families don’t have access to vehicles to pick up their orders. As well, often families have grandparents they are concerned about who are staying home.

Midwest Food Resources packs fresh food boxes twice a month, every second and fourth Thursday. During the week it also offers some cooking classes whenever possible. It is currently providing classes for Concern for Youth and EQUIP, to help young people learn to cook nutritious meals.

The large-sized food box contains from 15 to 18 pounds of vegetables and fruit; the regular box, called a small box, has 12 to 15 pounds worth; and there are also fruit-only bags available.

“They are really good and nutritional,” Fa said. “Midwest Food Resources’ motto is healthy food for all. Everybody has to eat healthy. We are open to everybody; everybody is welcome.”

She said many clients are from low income households, and often their boxes are prepaid by various organizations to offer support.

There is also a “Pay it Forward” option through the program, so people can buy a fresh food box for themselves, and make a donation to support local food security in the community at the same time.

Fa said her goal is to ensure more families have access to healthy foods, wherever they live.

—

angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW