Largest fresh-food donation in Canadian history
Posted: July 17, 2009
Categories: News from Sustain Ontario
One of Ontario’s largest greenhouse bell pepper producers is planting seeds that he hopes will put an abundance of fresh produce on the tables of tens of thousands of hungry Ontarians.
Peter Quiring, founder and president of Nature Fresh Farms, a Leamington-based greenhouse operation, is donating half a million pounds of peppers this year to feed Ontario’s growing numbers of hungry families, after connecting with Hamilton Food Share through a Hamilton-based rehab centre called Turning Point…
Adam Spence, executive director of the Ontario Association of Food Banks (OAFB), said the initiative is much-needed because fresh produce is in high demand in food programs that are feeling the pressure of the economic downturn.
“Our numbers have jumped 20 percent since last year,” noted Mr. Spence. “Fresh fruits and vegetables are in great demand by food banks and families turning to us for support, so we applaud Nature Fresh Farms for their leadership in the fight against hunger. A provincial tax credit program would help us meet the growing need for more fresh food by providing an incentive for other farmers to donate.”
Largest fresh-food donation in Canadian history (video).