The Northwestern Health Unit and the Salvation Army food bank here have partnered up in an effort to help fill the shelves at the food bank and as well to be able to provide healthy food choice alternatives for the less fortunate. Together, they are encouraging local farmers and gardeners to plant an extra row of veggies in their gardens this summer for the new program called “Plant A Row—Grow A Row.”
As part of the health unit’s “Take Action for Healthy Living” campaign, summer student Megan Bale and health unit educator Siobhan Booth designed the program here and are trying to create awareness of it amongst “green thumbed” residents.
“We want to get the word out there that we are running the program here so next year we will have a lot of donations coming in,” Booth said.
Residents who are interested in growing an extra row for donation to the Salvation Army should be aware that the Northwestern Health unit will provide the additional seeds free of charge.
“They can pick up seeds from us for the project. We have lots to choose from,” she noted.
Booth and Bale created the program in an effort to help assist the Salvation Army with their food drive as donation numbers have been lacking in recent months.
“We just wanted to be able to offer some support to the Salvation Army because they are an important asset to our community,” Booth explained. “Hopefully the community will embrace this program and we will be of some help to the food bank,” she added.
The “Grow A Row” campaign benefits both the community and individuals donating by improving local residents’ access to fresh vegetables and helping to build a stronger, healthier community.
On an individual basis, it provides regular physical activity for the gardeners, increased awareness of the benefits of eating vegetables every day, and helps to make the community more “food secure.”
All produce are needed, wanted and appreciated, including: carrots, parsnips, potatoes, broccoli, cabbage, beans, tomatoes, radishes, onions, zucchini, cucumbers, and rhubarb.
Most importantly, any soil must be removed before they are brought in for donation.
“We need the vegetables to be washed,” noted Booth.
Although, the program is specifically promoting healthy food donations for the Salvation Army, it should be noted the food bank accepts and appreciates all food donations residents make. They also will accept any vegetable donations people are willing to give.
“We are encouraging people to grow bigger gardens, but we still want any donations so if they want to just donate, we would be happy to take the veggies from them,” said Booth.
Any harvest donations will be accepted Mondays at the Salvation Army food bank located at 316 Victoria Ave., between 10 a.m.-noon and 1-3 p.m.
For more information, contact the Northwestern Health Unit at 274-9827, or Salvation Army food bank at 274-3871.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
