Local farmers flexed their community roots recently, donating fresh produce and frozen meat to local food banks in celebration of Canada Ag Day.
Members of the Kent Federation of Agriculture dropped off cheques and produce at the Salvation Army Church on Orangewood Boulevard in Chatham on Feb. 11, benefitting Outreach for Hunger and the Salvation Army.
It’s a tradition that’s been taking place for two decades.
Paul Stratton, business manager for the Salvation Army in Chatham-Kent, said the KFA aid is greatly appreciated.
“It is great support at this time of the year. Produce is not readily donated to us by other people. It’s nice for the farmers to come together and do that,” he said. “Our clients love fresh fruits and vegetables. It’s a great thing. We have lots of stuff with preservatives, but a lot of our clients would rather have fresh.”
Brenda LeClair, executive director of Outreach for Hunger, said she loves Canada Ag Day.
“I’m always excited when this day rolls around. Coming from an agricultural background myself, I recognize the importance of agriculture to our community. It’s wonderful to recognize that they are supporting people who also need it,” she said of the KFA donating to the food banks. “We couldn’t feed our families if we didn’t have events like this. We rely on the charity of the community.”
Brad Snobelen, co-chair of the Ag Day committee within the KFA, said KFA members stepped up, as they have in the past.
“The community has really supported us, it’s been amazing,” he said. “We probably have around 40 partners that donate monetarily, and probably another 20 or 30 that support with in-kind product.”
Snobelen said when the KFA asks, farmers support.
With more than 70 different crops grown in Chatham-Kent, the options are diverse.
As diverse as they are, delivery for the food banks is even more widespread.
“The big thing is it is not just this one day. This is a day we go and solicit donations. But our donations go on throughout the year,” Snobelen said in a recent interview.
Included in that is the purchase and delivery of ground beef, he added.
Stratton said the meat donation is well received.
“Meat is very rarely donated, unless it is canned, and we’re happy for that, but it’s nice to have fresh,” he said.
The need is only growing.
“Even though there may be more people helping people out, every given day, there’s a lot of people going into Raleigh Street (the Salvation Army’s Chatham food bank location) and they’re taking what we have to offer,” Stratton said.
