THUNDER BAY -- A lot of Good Food Boxes have been filled over 13 years. Fifty thousand, to be exact.
The milestone was celebrated earlier this week by the volunteers who work tirelessly to ensure people have access to fruit and vegetables they may otherwise struggle to afford.
“It provides people with fresh, nutritious produce. It engages our volunteers with skills and connections," program administrator Gwen O'Reilly said. "It also supports our local food producers. It’s a huge web across our community.”
With gold balloons recognizing 50,000 overhead at the Moose Hall, the volunteers celebrated with a confetti cannon and disco ball, before quickly resuming their work.
The not-for-profit group assembles local produce baskets and delivers them to volunteer sites, housing buildings, and First Nation communities. It offers a low-cost alternative to healthy food for families and individuals in the region.
“We do everything we can to promote healthy eating and fresh produce, and using the Good Food model, we make that affordable,” O’Reilly said.
The program, which debuted in September 2005, has helped pack boxes for over 35,000 families. O’Reilly says the average family-sized boxes saves $10 by choosing their service.
“Produce might be the most expensive thing in your shopping cart these days. And it’s rising,” O’Reilly said. “It’s a huge web across our community. None of us would work without the support of our volunteers.”
