A food security program in Thunder Bay, Ont., has packed its 100,000th box of fresh produce since its launch more than 20 years ago. Here's how the Thunder Bay Good Food Box Program, administered by the Northwestern Ontario Women’s Centre (NOWC), aims to provide low-cost fresh fruit and vegetables each month, amid rising living costs and declining food bank donations.
Good Food Box, run by Northwestern Ontario Women's Centre, launched in 2005
Sarah Law · CBC News
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A food security program in Thunder Bay, Ont., has packed its 100,000th box of fresh produce since its launch more than 20 years ago.
The Thunder Bay Good Food Box Program, administered by the Northwestern Ontario Women’s Centre (NOWC), began in 2005 with the goal of providing low-cost fresh fruit and vegetables each month.
About 22 per cent of households in the Thunder Bay district face food insecurity, according to the Thunder Bay District Health Unit (TBDHU).
Amid a rising cost of living, combined with a decline in donations to local food banks, the Good Food Box has become more important than ever, said NOWC’s executive director, Katie Bortolin.
“We know that the cost of living is increasing while wages and support from government is being either cut or staying the same, and it is not sustainable for families,” Bortolin said.
“This program is set for people with low income, fixed income — we also know that there [are] a whole bunch of people who are working and still living paycheque to paycheque, so we're trying to respond to needs as quickly and as effectively as possible.”
The program is run with one co-ordinator and a team of more than 200 volunteers from across different sectors.
“What we're celebrating is community connection and the progress made when mutual aid happens, to respond to the needs of everyone to make sure people have access to fresh fruits and vegetables,” said Bortolin.
Though the program is nearing capacity, she said those involved are finding creative ways to meet demands.
‘It's a big family, a big community of people’
Gwen O’Reilly, the NOWC’s former executive director, continues to help out with the Good Food Box program.
The partners involved with the program purchase wholesale food in bulk, which allows them to sell boxes containing up to a dozen food items at lower-than-retail prices. The boxes, which cost $22 each, can then be delivered or picked up at more than 40 different host sites.
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“If you come here at 9 a.m., there's already a crew here who knows what they're doing, it's already starting to organize things,” O’Reilly said. “It's a big family, a big community of people.”
Sherry Scott is the program’s co-ordinator. She says the entire program is a community-led initiative, with support from local donors, businesses and farmers alike.
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“Because of our 100,000th box, we are trying to get 100 sustaining donors. We currently have 20,” Scott said.
More information about the program can be found on the Good Food Box website.
As well, a list of local food banks, free hot meals and affordable fresh produce options on the north and south sides of town is available on the health unit’s website and is updated regularly.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sarah Law is a CBC News reporter based in Thunder Bay, Ont., and has also worked for newspapers and online publications elsewhere in the province. Have a story tip? You can reach her at sarah.law@cbc.ca.
With files from Zoe Gordon
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