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In a country like Canada, which is rich in crops of nearly all types, it isn’t uncommon to see trucks loaded with produce being sent to a new market.
But a recent trade of commodities was more about compassion than commerce.
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An exchange between the Greater Vancouver Food Bank and Regina Food Bank saw more than 29,000 pounds of B.C.-grown produce arrive in the Queen City, which will help feed Regina Food Bank clients.
In return, 22 pallets of Saskatchewan produce, including rolled oats, soup mix, pasta and lentils, headed west to help feed those served by the Greater Vancouver Food Bank.
In a joint statement, the food banks said the goods sent in each direction demonstrate “how food banks can work beyond provincial boundaries to make better use of regional abundance and provide greater variety to the communities they support.”
“People often assume food insecurity means there is not enough food. What we see is an abundance of healthy food that is not always connected to the right place at the right time,” said David Long, CEO of the Greater Vancouver Food Bank.
“This is what modern food banking should look like: sharing regional strengths, working beyond provincial boundaries and building a distribution system that makes better use of the food already available. We want exchanges like this to become a regular part of how food moves across Canada — not an exception.”
The shipment from B.C. included corn, parsley, carrots and kale. In total, 50,000 pounds of food were exchanged between the two food banks.
Carrots are among the many types of produce that were sent to the Regina Food Bank by the Greater Vancouver Food Bank. (Greater Vancouver Food Bank/Submitted)
This marks the second time the two food banks have made an exchange. Last year, more than 90,000 pounds of produce was swapped.
Mary Weimer, president & CEO of the Regina Food Bank, said it’s important to make sure clients don’t just end up with full stomachs. He said it’s also important to ensure food bank users have access to a variety of foods, which an exchange like this one helps to ensure.
“This partnership shows what’s possible when communities work together and share their strengths. Saskatchewan is home to incredible farmers and food producers, while British Columbia has an abundance of fresh produce,” Weimer said.
“By connecting those regional strengths, we’re providing greater variety for the families we serve, reducing food waste, and building a stronger, more connected food system that benefits communities across Canada.”
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