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A partnership involving Viterra will allow the Regina Food Bank to cope with a rapidly rising need.
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Regina Food Bank CEO John Bailey speaks to media during a news conference regarding a partnership with Viterra held at the food bank on Winnipeg Street in Regina, Saskatchewan on May 5, 2021. Photo by BRANDON HARDER /Regina Leader-Post
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COVID-19 has had a significant impact on the number of people using the services of the Regina Food Bank, but a partnership with Viterra is expected to provide help.
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“I think COVID has really put a stress test to how healthy our economy is, and I think a lot of the folks that we’re seeing — especially that increase — are folks that maybe never saw themselves as being potential food bank clients and are now actively using us in a way that supports what they do,” said John Bailey, CEO of the Regina Food Bank, on Wednesday. “So I think COVID had been a real driver of a lot of it.”
At a Wednesday news conference, Bailey observed that users of the food bank rose from 6,500 adults and children per month at this time last year to 9,200 by later in the year. This March, the food bank served even more than that, recording 11,000 adults and children served.
“The demand has gone up in a way that’s truly staggering,” he said.
Wednesday’s conference involved news that Viterra is coming on board for what’s being termed Viterra Farmers Feeding Families. The initiative, set to begin as early as next week, will see Saskatchewan farmers — red lentil growers at this point — being tapped as sources of the needed pulse crops. Pulses are then to be packaged by Regina-based Canmar Food Products into 200,000 bags annually and provided (along with information about preparing lentils) to food bank clients.
Bailey pointed out lentils have “an incredible ability to not only stretch the food value but also provide really great sustainable nutrition, especially in terms of proteins.”
Viterra North America CEO Kyle Jeworski speaks to media during a news conference regarding a partnership with the Regina Food Bank held at the food bank on Winnipeg Street in Regina, Saskatchewan on May 5, 2021. Photo by BRANDON HARDER /Regina Leader-Post
Viterra North America CEO Kyle Jeworski said farmers in Saskatchewan have a history of giving back to the province.
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“Absolutely, they take tremendous pride in supporting programs such as this …,” he said. “We often talk about all we do to feed the world, and it’s nice to be able to feed those at home. I think this is a great opportunity to do that.”
Jeworski added the initiative provides an opportunity for Viterra to contribute to the food bank, with $225,000 being invested by the company in the purchase and processing of the pulses being donated.
The federal government has also contributed $200,000 which will go to purchasing a fleet of delivery vehicles at below-market cost from Bennet Dunlop Ford. Additionally, Conexus Credit Union provided support that allows the food bank to access a newly refurbished and fully staffed commercial kitchen.
In total, Viterra Farmers Feeding Families amounts to a $750,000 investment in food security.
According to the food bank, many self-identified minorities — including Canadian newcomers — who use the food bank have “culturally guided diets,” meaning the initiative will expand food choices for these diets as well as those with other specific dietary needs.
“We always want to make sure the voice of the people we serve is present in everything we do,” Bailey said.
The initiative will include a delivery service (including an enhanced rural service) and pop-up community mobile hubs.
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