Successful year for Good Food Box program in Kincardine

Despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, 2021 was a successful year for the Good Food Box program in Kincardine.

That’s the word from co-ordinators Wendy Cox and Shirley Bieman who reported 1,590 boxes distributed by volunteers, with monthly orders ranging from 130 to 193 boxes.

The Good Food Box program, supported by the Grey Bruce Health Unit, enables local residents to obtain a box, typically with 12 or 13 varieties of fruits and vegetables, for $20. The program operates every month except July and August, and in June supplies clients with a list of local produce growers.

The majority of the boxes were purchased by clients of the program, but thanks to generous donations by individuals and organizations, the program has been able to sponsor several boxes for people who need support at this time.

Each month, two boxes go to the Kincardine Food Bank while one goes to the local Canadian Mental Health Association office. Some local families not connected with the food bank also receive a box, thanks to generous people who, incidentally, have stepped up to continue this sponsorship for 2022.

Every month since April, the food bank has given to the Good Food Box, a list of clients who could use a donated box, emphasizing families and seniors. Ninety-six such boxes have been supplied; the cost covered by donations to the Neighbour-to-Neighbour program which was set up for this purpose.

In the past, a $3 government subsidy was provided to Good Food Box clients with low incomes. When the provincial government cut this funding, program volunteers agreed to maintain it as long as there were funds.

Across 2021, the program’s “banker,” Owen Sound Hunger and Relief Effort (OSHaRE), in collaboration with the health unit, introduced a scheme whereby plastic tokens worth one Good Food Box each were given to churches, public housing, and other agencies, to distribute to their clients. Although the program has received only a few of the tokens so far, the co-ordinators expect to see more of them as 2022 progresses.

In November, the Good Food Box program launched its Ripley satellite depot which is staffed by a veteran program volunteer with back-up from the Ripley Lions. The Kincardine Lions have agreed to transport the boxes to Ripley while Bruce County Public Housing has provided the venue. In the three months since its inception, 21 boxes have been distributed from there.

Of course, the Good Food Box program could not operate without its faithful team of volunteers and Brad McFadden, who drives from Toronto to Kincardine with the produce every third Tuesday, rain or shine.

Thanks to Knox Presbyterian Church, Kincardine, for allowing the program to use the basement hall rent-free, to Sam and Heather Finnie at Century 21 for looking after any pre-orders, and to Microage Basics for doing the photocopying of the flyers free of charge.

Over 2021, the program has been able to support the community with free bins of fresh produce in the amount of $3,976. If it were not for the generosity of local caring individuals and organizations, and the grants that OSHaRE has procured for Kincardine and the other Good Food Box programs, little could be done.