United Way, Harvest Algoma make 'big leagues' with entry to international food organization

NEWS RELEASE
UNITED WAY OF SAULT STE. MARIE AND DISTRICT
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"We're thrilled to welcome 49 new organizations from across North America to our diverse and growing international network of Good Food Organizations (GFOs), now more than 150 members strong. Among them are health centres, food banks, teaching farms, and anti-poverty groups committed to offering impactful community food programs based in principles of health, empowerment, and respect."

Our new roster of GFOs will have opportunities to expand on their expertise and networks in order to better serve their communities—developing new partnerships with other food organizations, sharing ideas for innovative programming, and learning new strategies to bring a deeper social justice and equity lens to their work.

GFOs take action by investing in places and programs that alleviate the impacts of poverty and food insecurity; supporting organizations to become leaders in community food security programming.

“Being accepted as a Good Food Organization is like getting the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval. It puts Harvest Algoma in the big leagues with established food security programs across Canada and the US. We are very pleased to have been approved as a Good Food Organization so early in our development. The access to information, best practices and advice will help our operation move forward more effectively.” Mike Delfre, Operations Manager, United Way Sault Ste. Marie & Algoma District, Harvest Algoma.

In March 2018 United Way launched their Food Security Division, Harvest Algoma, to establish and operate a Food Security Resource Centre in our community. The Centre opened in July 2018 and includes a food warehouse, commercial kitchen, a community garden and will provide Outreach & Education Programs. The Centre will establish a sustainable supply of food for the Sault Ste. Marie region and will strive to reduce dependency of vulnerable members of the community on food assistance through education and advocacy.

“The Food Resource Centre is a place for innovation and advances in working towards the end of food insecurity in Sault Ste. Marie and the District,” says Jessica Laidley, Food Resource Centre Manager, United Way Sault Ste. Marie & Algoma District. “Having a connection to other Good Food Organizations and learning best practices to raise up all of our community partners, food banks, and individuals to disrupt cycles of poverty using good food is an opportunity that our community has not experienced before.”

The Food Resource Centre opened in July 2018 and is coordinating food collection and food rescue in the community. With a committed group of initial volunteers, we have established relationships with local producers and agencies to provide another avenue for fresh and nutritious foods to supplement traditional non-perishable items during Algoma’s growing season.

Since opening its doors the Food Resource Centre has distributed 22,000 pounds of food to local food banks and agencies of which 2000 pounds of food has been preserved for use later in the season. The Food Resource Centre is currently developing training and education programs which are anticipated to launch in Spring 2019.

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